Before the focus of history was turned upon the island, people were already living in Taiwan, and these have left many traces of their lifestyles. Four centuries ago, the indigenous people were the original inhabitants of Taiwan, and the Dutch, Spanish, Han Chinese and Japanese were guests, with some being passing visitors, while some remained to establish their roots here. Two centuries ago, many Han Chinese people risked the official maritime embargo and the danger of crossing the stormy waters of the Taiwan Strait, with some being illegal immigrants and others sent to the island by the government. One hundred and fifty years ago, many Han Chinese came to Taiwan and chose to stay in because of economic incentives, due to the rising trade in tea, rice and camphor, and eventually their descendants saw the island as their home. One hundred and ten years ago, the Japanese came to Taiwan, making it their first colony, introducing post-Meiji Restoration systems and measures. Eight decades ago, Taiwanese people, having received a modern education, began calling for democracy and greater rights, and these were the pioneers of later democratic movements in Taiwan. After 1945, many Han Chinese retreated to Taiwan from China with the ROC Government, in turn creating a military village culture on the island. Over the last 20 years, many foreigners have married Taiwanese citizens, thus becoming important members of the growing family on this island. The people living here are not differentiated by ethnicity or gender, only by the order in which they arrived, because anyone who recognizes Taiwan is deemed to be Taiwanese.