LESSONSONCHINA

AmyPollin
ThomasS.WootenHighSchool
CONFUCIUSLesson#1
Topic:
LessononConfuciusandroleofConfucianisminChinesesociety
Materials:
Overheadofsetactivity(Appendix#1)
Overheadoflecture(Appendix#2)
Lecturenotesworksheet(Appendix#3)
Confuciusquotesworksheet(Appendix#4)
Setactivity:
PutAppendix#1upontheoverhead
Whatdoyouconsidertobeyourmostimportantrelationship?Why?
Discussasaclass
MainActivity:
PutAppendix#2upontheoverhead
PassoutAppendix#3tothestudents
AsyoulecturetotheclassonConfucius,hisbackgroundandphilosophy,havethe
studentsanswerthequestionsontheirworksheets
Conclusion:
PassoutAppendix#4tothestudentstocomplete.
Askonestudentwhichquotehe/shechose.
Telleveryoneintheclasswhochosethatquotetostandup.
Beforeeachstudentcansitdown,he/shehastogivehis/heropiniononthequoteand/or
anexampletosupport.
Dothesamethinguntilallofthestudentshavesharedwiththeclass.

APPENDIX#1

Directions:Inyournotes,
takeacoupleofminutesto
answerthequestionbelow.
Bepreparedtoshareyour
thoughtswiththeclass.
Whatisthemostimportant
relationshipinyourlife?
Why?

APPENDIX#2

Confucius(KungFutzu)
Introduction:
Confuciuswasagreatthinker,statesman,
educatorandfounderoftheConfucian
SchoolofThoughtinancientChinawho
placedalotofemphasisonrelationshipsand
onesroleinsociety
Confuciuswasbornin551BCanddiedin
476BCduringtheSpring/AutumnPeriod,a
periodofwarandunrestwithinChina
Whilehelivedalongtimeago,his
philosophycontinuestoinfluenceChina,as
wellasotherAsiancountrieslikeSingapore,
Japan,Korea,etc.
Personalbackground:
Difficulttoseparatefactfromlegend
Confuciusfatherwasaknightandalow
rankinggovernmentofficial
o MarriedConfuciusmotherwhenhe
was66yearsoldandshewas20years
old

o FatherdiedwhenConfuciuswasonly3
yearsold
o MotherandConfuciusmovedtoQufu,
themothershometown
MotherstronglyencouragedConfucius
education
o Determinedtobeagoodstudent
o Masteredbothelementaryandadvanced
artsbyage20
Byage30,Confuciusstartedfirstprivate
school
o Enrolledstudentsofvariousclasses
Before,onlychildrenfrom
privilegedfamiliescouldgoto
school
o Trained3,000students*
72outstandingandbecame
governmentofficials*
Atage50,Confuciusstartedhispolitical
career
o Advocatedanhonestandfair
government

o Wantedtostrengthenthepowerofthe
state(asopposedtotheindividual
powerofofficials)
o Leftgovernmentbecauseofcorruption
(forcedintoexile)
Byage55,Confuciusbeganhistravels
o Spent14yearstraveling
o Wantedtohelpthegovernmentrestore
peaceandharmonybutwas
unsuccessful
Atage68,Confuciusreturnedtohishome
state
o Devotedhimselftoeducationandedited
documentstopreserveChineseculture
fortheremainderofhislife
ConfucianThought
Coversfieldsofsocialscience,suchas
philosophy,sociology,ethics,educationand
politicalscience
TheAnalectsofConfucius
o Arecordedworkofhisconversations
andconduct

o MainmaterialforstudyingConfucius
theories
RenCompassionandBenevolence
o MostimportantpartofConfucius
philosophy
o Benevolenceistoloveallpeople
o Golden Rule: What you do not wish for
yourself, do not do to others
o Confuciuslivedduringatimeofwar,
unrestandcruelty
Wantedchange!
Believedinfivekeyrelationships
o Everyone has a role to play based on
their relationship to others
o If everyone fulfilled their duties and
kept their place, then society would be
stable and harmonious
o There are five basic human relationships
in Confucianism:
1. ruler to ruled;
2. father to son;
3. husband to wife;
4. elder brother to younger brother;
5. friend to friend.

o For Confucius and his followers, the

relationship between father and son,
known as filial piety was the most
important.

Government
o If the people be led by laws, and
uniformity among them be sought by
punishments, they will try to escape
punishment and have no sense of shame.
If they are led by virtue, and uniformity
sought among them through the practice
of ritual propriety, they will possess a
sense of shame and come to you of their
own accord. (Lunyu 2.3; see also 13.6.)
Confucius' political philosophy is
also rooted in his belief that a ruler
should learn self-discipline, should
govern his subjects by his own
example, and should treat them with
love and concern.
Education

o He who learns but does not think is

lost. He who thinks but does not learn is
in great danger. (Lunyu 2.15)
While he sometimes warns against
excessive reflection and meditation,
Confucius' position appears to be a
middle course between studying and
reflecting on what one has learned.

APPENDIX#3
ConfuciusandConfucianThought
Directions:Throughoutthelecture,answerthefollowingquestions.
1.WhendidConfuciuslive?

2.WhydowecontinuetostudyConfuciusifhelivedsolongago?

3.WhatkindofjobsdidConfuciushold?

4.WhatisthenameofthebookthatcontainsarecordofConfuciusconversationsand
conduct?

5.WhydidConfuciusplacesuchemphasisonRen(Compassion/benevolence)?

6.ListthefiverelationshipsaccordingtoConfucius.Starthemostimportant
relationshipaccordingtoConfucius.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

(5)
7.Why is the father-son relationship more important than the rulerruled relationship?

8.ReadthefollowingquoteconcerningConfuciusviewofgovernment.
Ifthepeoplebeledbylaws,anduniformityamongthembesoughtby
punishments,theywilltrytoescapepunishmentandhavenosenseofshame.If
theyareledbyvirtue,anduniformitysoughtamongthemthroughthepracticeof
ritualpropriety,theywillpossessasenseofshameandcometoyouoftheirown
accord.
WhatisajustgovernmentaccordingtoConfucius?

9.ReadthefollowingquoteconcerningConfuciusviewofeducation.
Hewholearnsbutdoesnotthinkislost.Hewhothinksbutdoesnotlearnisin
greatdanger.
WhatisConfuciusviewoneducation?

APPENDIX#3(Answerkey)
ConfuciusandConfucianThought
Directions:Throughoutthelecture,answerthefollowingquestions.
1.WhendidConfuciuslive?
551479BCEduringtheSpring/AutumnPeriod,aperiodofwarandunrestwithin
China
2.WhydowecontinuetostudyConfuciusifhelivedsolongago?
Confuciuswasagreatthinker,statesman,educatorandfounderoftheConfucian
SchoolofThoughtinancientChinawhoplacedalotofemphasisonrelationships
andonesroleinsociety
Whilehelivedalongtimeago,hisphilosophycontinuestoinfluenceChina,as
wellasotherAsiancountrieslikeSingapore,Japan,Korea,etc.
3.WhatkindofjobsdidConfuciushold?
Teacher,governmentofficial
4.WhatisthenameofthebookthatcontainsarecordofConfuciusconversationsand
conduct?
TheBookofAnalects
5.WhydidConfuciusplacesuchemphasisonRen(benevolence)?
HefeltthatRenwasthekeytoanorderedsocietyandduringatimeofwarand
politicalunrest,Confuciuswaslookingforawaytorestoreorder
6.ListthefiverelationshipsaccordingtoConfucius.Starthemostimportant
relationshipaccordingtoConfucius.
(1)rulertoruled;
(2)fathertoson;
(3)husbandtowife;
(4)elderbrothertoyoungerbrother;
(5)friendtofriend.
7.Why is the father-son relationship more important than the rulerruled relationship?
Because the ruler is supposed to set a moral example for his
people and rule with a paternalistic attitude toward his subjects.
Thus, he is expected to rule like a father rules his family.
8.ReadthefollowingquoteconcerningConfuciusviewofgovernment.
Ifthepeoplebeledbylaws,anduniformityamongthembesoughtby
punishments,theywilltrytoescapepunishmentandhavenosenseofshame.If

theyareledbyvirtue,anduniformitysoughtamongthemthroughthepracticeof
ritualpropriety,theywillpossessasenseofshameandcometoyouoftheirown
accord.
WhatisajustgovernmentaccordingtoConfucius?
Confucius'politicalphilosophyisalsorootedinhisbeliefthatarulershouldlearn
selfdiscipline,shouldgovernhissubjectsbyhisownexample,andshouldtreat
themwithloveandconcern.
9.ReadthefollowingquoteconcerningConfuciusviewofeducation.
Hewholearnsbutdoesnotthinkislost.Hewhothinksbutdoesnotlearnisin
greatdanger.
WhatisConfuciusviewoneducation?
Whilehesometimeswarnsagainstexcessivereflectionandmeditation,
Confucius'positionappearstobeamiddlecoursebetweenstudyingandreflecting
onwhatonehaslearned.

APPENDIX#4
Confucius Quotes
Directions: Read through the quotes by Confucius listed below. Choose one quote that
speaks to you. Follow the directions on the back of the worksheet.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.
An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by
imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
He who will not economize will have to agonize.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.
It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.
Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.
Respect yourself and others will respect you.
Study the past if you would define the future.
To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.
What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
When anger rises, think of the consequences.
When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine
ourselves.

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.

Directions:
1. Re-write the quote:

2. Paraphrase the quote (put it in your own words).

3. Do you agree or disagree with Confucius on this topic? Give a specific example
to support your response.

LESSONSONCHINA
AmyPollin
WootenHighSchool
BUDDHISMLesson#2
Topic:
LessononthebeliefsofBuddhismandhowBuddhismwasreceivedinChina
Materials:
NotesonBuddhism(Appendix#5)
DBQonBuddhism(Appendix#6)
Setactivity:
Turnoffthelights,havethestudentsclosetheireyes,andmediate
Havethestudentsthinkaboutwhatisreallyimportanttothem
TransitiononewaythatBuddhistsachievedenlightenmentwasthroughmediation
MainActivity(Part1):
PassoutAppendix#5tothestudents
Gothroughtheworksheetwiththem,givingexamplestohelpclarify
MainActivity(Part2):
OncethestudentshaveabasicunderstandingofwhatBuddhistsbelieve,passout
Appendix#6,theDocumentBasedQuestion(DBQ)fromAPWorldHistoryExam
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/apworldhistpg060309_51106.pdf
IfthisisthefirsttimethestudentshaveworkedonaDBQ,walkthroughtheprocesswith
them:
1.AnalyzethequestionResponsestoBuddhism
Beforelookingatanyofthedocuments,whataresomenaturalcategoriesthat
thesedocumentscouldfallinto?
Ex.InfavorofBuddhism,AgainstBuddhism,etc.
2.Readeachdocumentandtrytodeterminewhichcategoryitwouldfallinto.Ifthat
meansofcategorizationdoesntwork,thinkaboutwhatdoeswork.
3.AnalyzePointofviewinatleastthreesources
Whyisthisabiasedsource?
(Nosourceisobjectiveandalldocumentsaddtoargumentinsomeway)
4.Whatadditionalsourceswouldbehelpfulforgettingamorecompletepicture?And
why?
Documentshavetoberealistic
Commonperson
Convertdiscussingwhyhe/shechangedreligions
#ofChineseconverting

5.WriteThesisstatement
Fullyaddressesthequestion
Takesaposition
Providesorganizationalcategories
6.Outlinepaper
Whencitingsources,refertothespeakerofthesource
Canputnumberofdocumentinparenthesesatendofsentenceorincolumn
Conclusion:
Forhomework,writeafullresponsetotheDBQ

BUDDHISM

APPENDIX#5

BackgroundonBuddhism
HasoriginsinHinduism
SiddharthaGautama(563483BC)
Buddha,Enlightenedone,Sakyamuni
Kshatriyaclass
Becamedissatisfiedwithsettledlifeandbecameawanderer
AbandonedfamilysHindubeliefsinaquestforamoreuniversal,
ultimateenlightenment
Achievedthroughmeditation
Thefournobletruths
1.Theanswertowhypeoplesufferandhowsufferingcanbeavoided
2.Painandsuffering,frustration,andanxietyareuglybutinescapablepartsof
life
3.Sufferingandanxietyarecausedbythehumanweaknessesofgreed,
selfishness,andegoism
4.Peoplecanunderstandtheseweaknessesandtriumphoverthem
TriumphismadepossiblebyfollowingtheEightfoldpath
Theeightfoldpath
Giveseightstepsforlivingacorrectorrightlife
1.Clearunderstandingofthepainandmiseryofoneslife
2.Decidetofreeoneselffromsuffering
3.Rightconduct
4.Rightspeechawayoflivinginwhichonepracticesthevirtuesof
loveandcompassion,joy,andserenityindailylife
5.Rightlivelihoodameansofearningalivingthatdoesnotinterfere
withtheattainmentofultimateenlightenment
6.Rightendeavorconsciousefforttoeliminatedistractingandharmful
desiresRecognizingthatnothingandnooneispermanent
7.Rightawarenessconstantcontemplationofonesdeedsandwords,
givingfullthoughttotheirimportanceandwhetherornottheyleadto
enlightenment
8.Rightcontemplationdeepmeditationontheimpermanenceof
everythingintheworld
NIRVANA
Astateofhappinessgainedbytheextinctionofselfanddesiresandthe
releasefromtheeffectsofkarma
Karma
Deedsapersonperformsduringhisorherlifetime

Enlightenment
Whenapersonisfinallyfreefromfurtherrebirthwithallitsearthly
suffering
BelievedthatanyonecouldfollowtheEightfoldpath
Rejectedthecastesystem
Gods
Placedlittleemphasisongods

BUDDHISMDBQ

APPENDIX#6

Directions:Basedonthefollowingdocuments,analyzetheresponsestothespreadof
BuddhisminChina.Whatadditionalkindofdocument(s)wouldyouneedtoevaluate
theextentofBuddhismsappealinChina?
HistoricalBackground:Buddhism,foundedinIndiainthesixthcenturyB.C.E.,was
broughttoChinabythefirstcenturyC.E.,graduallywinningconvertsfollowingthe
collapseoftheHanDynastyin220C.E.Buddhistinfluencecontinuedtoexpandfor
severalcenturies.Between220C.E.and570C.E.,Chinaexperiencedaperiodof
politicalinstabilityanddisunity.After570C.E.,theimperialstructurewasrestored.
Document1
Source:AccordingtoBuddhisttradition,TheFourNobleTruths,thefirstsermon
preachedbytheBuddha(563B.C.E.483B.C.E.),India,fifthcenturyB.C.E.
TheFirstNobleTruthistheNobleTruthofSorrow.Birthissorrow,ageissorrow,
diseaseissorrow,deathissorrow,contactwiththeunpleasantissorrow,separationfrom
thepleasantissorrow,everywishunfulfilledissorrow.
TheSecondNobleTruthistheNobleTruthoftheArisingofSorrow;itarisesfrom
craving,whichleadstorebirth,whichbringsdelightandpassion,andseekspleasurethe
cravingforsensualpleasure,thecravingforcontinuedlife,andthecravingforpower.
TheThirdNobleTruthistheNobleTruthoftheStoppingofSorrow.Itisthecomplete
stoppingofthatcraving,sothatnopassionremains,leavingit,beingemancipatedfrom
it,beingreleasedfromit,givingnoplacetoit.
TheFourthNobleTruthistheNobleTruthoftheWaythatLeadstotheStoppingof
Sorrow.
Document2
Source:ZhiDun,Chinesescholar,author,andconfidantofChinesearistocratsandhigh
officialsduringtheperiodwhennorthernChinawasinvadedbycentralAsiansteppe
nomads,circa350C.E.
WhosoeverinChina,inthiseraofsensualpleasures,servestheBuddhaandcorrectly
observesthecommandments,whorecitestheBuddhistScriptures,andwhofurthermore
makesavowtoberebornwithouteverabandoninghissincereintention,willattheend
ofhislife,whenhissoulpassesaway,bemiraculouslytransportedthither.Hewill
beholdtheBuddhaandbeenlightenedinhisspirit,andthenhewillenterNirvana.*

*Nirvana:theextinctionofdesireandindividualconsciousness
Document3
Source:AnonymousChinesescholar,TheDispositionofError,China,circa500C.E.
Question:IfBuddhismisthegreatestandmostvenerableofways,whydidthegreat
sagesofthepastandConfuciusnotpracticeit?IntheConfucianClassicsnoone
mentionsit.Why,then,doyoulovetheWayoftheBuddhaandrejoiceinoutlandish
arts?CanthewritingsoftheBuddhaexceedtheClassicsandcommentariesandbeautify
theaccomplishmentsofthesages?
Answer:AllwrittenworksneednotnecessarilybethewordsofConfucius.Tocompare
thesagestotheBuddhawouldbelikecomparingawhitedeertoaunicorn,oraswallow
toaphoenix.TherecordsandteachingsoftheConfucianclassicsdonotcontain
everything.EveniftheBuddhaisnotmentionedinthem,whatoccasionistherefor
suspicion?
Question:Nowofhappinessthereisnonegreaterthanthecontinuationofonesline,of
unfilialconductthereisnoneworsethanchildlessness.Themonksforsakewivesand
children,rejectpropertyandwealth.Somedonotmarryalltheirlives.
Answer:Wives,children,andpropertyaretheluxuriesoftheworld,butsimpleliving
andinactionarethewondersoftheWay.ThemonkpracticestheWayandsubstitutes
thatforworldlypleasures.Heaccumulatesgoodnessandwisdominexchangeforthe
joysofhavingawifeandchildren.
Document4
Source:HanYu,leadingConfucianscholarandofficialattheTangimperialcourt,
MemorialonBuddhism,819C.E.
YourservantbegsleavetosaythatBuddhismisnomorethanacultofthebarbarian
peoplesspreadtoChina.Itdidnotexisthereinancienttimes.
NowIhearthatYourMajestyhasorderedthecommunityofmonkstogotogreetthe
fingerboneoftheBuddha[arelicbroughttoChinafromIndia],andthatYourMajesty
willascentatowertowatchtheprocessionasthisrelicisbroughtintothepalace.If
thesepracticesarenotstopped,andthisrelicoftheBuddhaisallowedtobecarriedfrom
onetempletoanother,therewillbethoseinthecrowdwhowillcutofftheirarmsand
mutilatetheirfleshinofferingtotheBuddha.
NowtheBuddhawasamanofthebarbarianswhodidnotspeakChineseandwhowore
clothesofadifferentfashion.TheBuddhassayingscontainnothingaboutourancient
kingsandtheBuddhasmannerofdressdidnotconformtoourlaws;heunderstood

neitherthedutiesthatbindsovereignandsubject,northeaffectionsoffatherandson.If
theBuddhawerestillalivetodayandcametoourcourt,YourMajestymightcondescend
toreceivehim,buthewouldthenbeescortedtothebordersofthenation,dismissed,and
notallowedtodeludethemasses.Howthen,whenhehaslongbeendead,couldthe
Buddhasrottenbones,thefoulandunluckyremainsofhisbody,berightlyadmittedto
thepalace?Confuciussaid:Respectghostsandspirits,butkeepthematadistance!
YourservantisdeeplyashamedandbegsthatthisbonefromtheBuddhabegiventothe
properauthoritiestobecastintofireandwater,thatthisevilberootedout,andlater
generationssparedthisdelusion.
Document5
Source:ZongMi,aleadingBuddhistscholar,favoredbytheTangimperialhousehold,
essay,OntheNatureofMan,earlyninthcenturyC.E.
Confucius,LaoziandtheBuddhawereperfectsages.Theyestablishedtheirteachings
accordingtothedemandsoftheageandtheneedsofvariousbeings.Theydifferintheir
approachesinthattheyencouragetheperfectionofgooddeeds,punishwickedones,and
rewardgoodones;allthreeteachingsleadtothecreationofanorderlysocietyandfor
thistheymustbeobservedwithrespect.
Document6
Source:TangEmperorWu,EdictonBuddhism,845C.E.
WehaveheardthattheBuddhawasneverspokenofbeforetheHandynasty;formthen
onthereligionofidolsgraduallycametoprominence.SointhislatterageBuddhismhas
transmitteditsstrangewaysandhasspreadlikealuxuriantvineunitithaspoisonedthe
customsofournation.BuddhismhasspreadtoallthenineprovincesofChina;eachday
findsitsmonksandfollowersgrowingmorenumerousanditstemplesmorelofty.
Buddhismwearsoutthepeoplesstrength,pilferstheirwealth,causespeopletoabandon
theirlordsandparentsforthecompanyofteachers,andseversmanandwifewithits
monasticdecrees.Indestroyinglawandinjuringhumankindindeednothingsurpasses
thisdoctrine!
Nowifevenonemanfailstoworkthefields,someonemustgohungry;ifonewoman
doesnottendhersilkworms,someonewillgocold.Atpresentthereareaninestimable
numberofmonksandnunsintheempire,allofthemwaitingforthefarmerstofeedthem
andthesilkwormstoclothethemwhiletheBuddhistpublictemplesandprivatechapels
havereachedboundlessnumbers,sufficienttooutshinetheimperialpalaceitself.
Havingthoroughlyexaminedallearlierreportsandconsultedpublicopiniononallsides,
therenolongerremainstheslightestdoubtinOurmindthatthisevilshouldbe
eradicated.

LESSONSONCHINA
AmyPollin
WootenHighSchool
CHINESEPHILOSOPHIESLesson#3
Topic:
LessontounderstandandcompareandcontrasttheChinesephilosophiesof
Confucianism,Taoism,Legalism,andBuddhism
Materials:
Largepiecesofpaper,markers,etc
Projectdirections(Appendix#7)
Comparisonchart(Appendix#8)
Setactivity:
Discussionquestions:
Whatisthedifferencebetweenareligionandaphilosophy?
MainActivity:
GiveeachgroupoffourstudentsanexplanationofConfucianism,Taoism,Legalism,or
Buddhism(Appendix#7)
StudentscanalsorefertotheirnotesfrompasttwodaysonConfucianismand
Buddhism
Foraclassof32,therewillbetwogroupsworkingoneachphilosophy/religion
Foreachgroup,getapieceofrollingpaperthatislargeenoughforastudenttooutline
onememberoftheirgrouponthepaper
Usedifferentcolormarkerstoaddclothing,sayings,ornaments,etc.torepresent
theprinciplesofthereligion/philosophy
Becreative!
Haveeachgroupcomeuptothefrontoftheclassandexplainthesymbolstheyaddedto
theircharacterandhoweachsymbolhelpsexplaintheprinciplesoftheir
religion/philosophy
Whilestudentsarepresenting,havetherestoftheclassfillinthechartonthemain
principles(Appendix#8)
Conclusion:
Westartedourlessonwithadiscussiononthedifferencebetweenreligionsand
philosophies.
Fromwhatyouhavelearnedtoday,areConfucianism,Buddhism,Legalism,andTaoism
religionsorphilosophies?
Discuss

Buddhism

APPENDIX#7

Directions:UsethedescriptionbelowandyourothernotesonBuddhismtodrawthe
BuddhaandillustratethemainprinciplesofBuddhism.Bepreparedtoexplainyour
illustrationsandthemainideasofyourreligiontotherestoftheclass.
TheBuddha
1.ElongatedEarlobes:Resultofwearingheavygoldenearrings.Upon
Enlightenment,theearringswereremoved,butthesymbolremainstoremind
otherstorenounceattachmenttoworldlypossessions
2.Topknotorbulgeontopofthehead:thisisnotaheaddressbutanexpansion
ofhisbraintoaccommodateEnlightenment
3.Shortcurledhair:thisshortnesscameaftercuttinghislonghair,whichwas
consideredasignofvanity
4.Whirlofhairorknobontheforehead:thismarkisakindofthirdeyetoshow
omniscience
5.Webbedfingers:thiswebbing,legendhasit,representsanettogatherinhis
followers
6.Lotusrosettesonthehandsandfeet:thelotusisasymbolofpurityandbeauty
sinceitcanblossomeveninthemud
7.Positionofthehands:thepositionofthehandschangesinrepresentationsof
theBuddhaandillustratevariousactsmeditation,prayer,teaching,
argumentation
8.Slimnessofthefigure:thisslimnessisinsharpcontrasttothestudents
preconceivedideasoftheBuddha;thisillustratestheBuddhasabilitytosurvive
onasubsistencediet
9.Thesmile:thisexpressiondepictsBuddhaasabenignandgentlefigure

Confucianism
Directions:UsethenotesbelowandyourothernotestodrawConfuciusandillustratethe
mainprinciplesofConfucianism.Bepreparedtoexplainyourillustrationsandthemain
ideasofyourphilosophytotherestoftheclass.
Confucianism
MostprofoundimpactonChina
KungFutzu(551479BC)
KnowninthewestasConfucius
Teacher
FamecamefromstudentswhocollectedhissayingsinabookAnalects
Brilliantsynthesizerofideas(notnecessarilynewideas)
Consideredhimselfafailurebecausehewantedtoadvisehighofficials,
notstudents
Philosophy
Centeredonthedutiesandproperbehavioroftheindividualwithin
society
Practicalandhumanistic
Universallaws
Ex.familyisbasicunitofsociety
Maleissuperiortofemale,agetoyouth
Orderwastoberespectedevenifthoseinauthoritywere
wrong
Gentlemanlyconduct,whichinvolvedavirtuousandethicallife,
wouldbringaboutpeacefulsocialrelationsandawellrun
government
Evenmenofhumblebirthcouldreachthislevelthrough
educationandselfdiscipline
Didnotadvocatesocialequality,butminimizedimportance
ofclassdistinctions
Government
Confucianismurgedgoodgovernment
Emphasizedthedutyofrulertorulepeoplewisely
andwithcompassion
Vitalpartofevolutionofeffectivecivilservice
Opposeduseofviolence
Goodgovernmentisaproductofagood
relationshipbetweenarulerandhissubject

Daoism/Taoism
Directions:UsethenotesbelowtodrawLaotzuandillustratethemainprinciplesof
Daoism.Bepreparedtoexplainyourillustrationsandthemainideasofyourphilosophy
totherestoftheclass.
Daoism
Laotzu(Laozi)
Founder
Livedin6thcenturyBC
Littleisknownabouthim(orifhereallyexisted)
CreditedwithwritingTaoTeChing(BookoftheWayanditsPower)
Probablytheworkofseveralpeople
Datesto4thcenturyBC
The true beginning of the Daoist religion is placed in the first century with
the adoption of Lao Tse's philosophy by the teacher Zhang Dao Ling
OnlymajorreligionthatisindigenoustoChina
Basic teachings and Beliefs of Daoism: The main principles of Daoism include worship
of nature, pursuit of inner purity and reduction of personal desire. Daoism, or "The
Way," is the natural order, or the force that flows through all living things. Tao is less a
Deity than transcendent reality; however, as Daoism in China is inextricably bound up
with folk traditions, there are also a variety of minor deities, which are generally
considered aspects of the Tao. Daoists seek equilibrium above all else.
Code of Conduct: Daoists generally follow a sort of Golden Rule, but the principal
Daoist ethic is called Wu-wei, or non-action, meaning to seek equilibrium and follow the
natural order.
Symbols of Taoism: The yin yang is the easily recognized Daoist symbol of the interplay
of forces in the universe. In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang represent the two primal
cosmic forces in the universe. Yin (moon) is the receptive, passive, cold female force.
Yang (sun) is masculine- force, movement, heat. The yin yang symbol represents the
idealized harmony of these forces; equilibrium in the universe. In ancient Daoist texts,
white and black represent enlightenment and ignorance, respectively.

Legalism
Directions:UsethenotesbelowtodrawHanFeitzuorLiSsuandillustratethemain
principlesofLegalism.Bepreparedtoexplainyourillustrationsandthemainideasof
yourphilosophytotherestoftheclass.
Legalism
Collectivenamegiventonumberofschoolsofpracticalpoliticaltheory
Leaders
HanFeitzu(d.233BC)
LiSsu(d.208BC)
The school's originator Han Fei () believed that a ruler should govern his subjects by
the following trinity:
1 Fa ( f): law or principle. The law code must be clearly written and made public. All
people under the ruler were equal before the law. Laws should reward those who obey
them and punish accordingly those who dare to break them. Thus it is guaranteed that
actions taken are systemically predictable. In addition, the system of law ran the state, not
the ruler. If the law is successfully enforced, even a weak ruler will be strong.
2 Shu ( sh): method, tactic or art. Special tactics and "secrets" are to be employed by
the ruler to make sure others don't take over control of the state. Especially important is
that no one can fathom the ruler's motivations, and thus no one can know which behavior
might help them getting ahead; except for following the fa or laws.
3 Shi ( sh): legitimacy, power or charisma. It is the position of the ruler, not the ruler
himself, that holds the power. Therefore, analysis of the trend, the context and the facts
are essential for a real ruler.
Government
Thestateshouldpossessasmuchpoweraspossibleandextenditrelentlessly
Sincehumannatureisevil,therulermustkeeppeopledisciplined

Religions/PhilosophiesPracticedinAsia
Religion/Philosophy
Confucianism

MainBeliefs

Buddhism

Legalism

Taoism

*Whatisthedifferencebetweenareligionandaphilosophy?

APPENDIX#8

*Fromwhatyouhavelearnedtoday,areConfucianism,Buddhism,Legalism,and
Taoism,religionsorphilosophies?Both?Neither?
LESSONSONCHINA
AmyPollin
WootenHighSchool
THEMINGDYNASTYANDTHEDYNASTICCYCLELesson#4
Topic:
LessonontheMingDynastyandtheDynasticCycle
Materials:
DirectionsformapofChina(Appendix#9)
ClasssetofDynastytimelines(getonline)
OverheadofDynasticCycle(Appendix#10)
NotesontheMingDynasty(Appendix#11)
Setactivity:
CompletemapofChinaduringtheMingDynasty(Appendix#9)
Discuss:
HowmightChinasgeographicfeaturesandlocationhaveaffectedChinas
politicaldevelopmentandinteractionswiththerestoftheworld?
MainActivity:
WewillbelookingatChinaspoliticaldevelopmenttodaywithafocusontheMing
Dynasty.
DiscussionQuestion:
IfyouweretowriteatimelineontheleadershiphistoryoftheUS,whatwould
youuseasthebasisfordividingtime?
Ex.Presidentialadministrations,congressionalyears
Whenwouldyoubeginthetimeline?
InChina,politicalhistorywasdividedintoDynasties
PassouttimelineofChinesedynastiesforstudentstoseehowthenumberandlengthof
theChinesedynasties
HavestudentstakeoutpaperfornotesontheDynasticCycle(Appendix#10)
Conclusion:
PassoutnotesontheMingDynasty(Appendix#11)
DoestheDynasticcycleapplytotheMingDynasty?
Isthedynasticcycleagoodwaytoviewdynasties?Isittoobroad?Too
specific?
Canweseeitinothergovernments?IntheUS?

MapofChina

APPENDIX#9

Directions:DrawandlabelthefeatureslistedbelowonablankmapofChina.
BodiesofWater
YellowSea
EastChinaSea
SouthChinaSea
Rivers
WeiHo(Yellow)
Yangtze(ChangJiang)
HsiRiver
Naturalboundaries
GobiDesert
HimalayanMountains
Manmade
SilkRoad
GreatWall

APPENDIX#10

THEDYNASTICCYCLE
DynastyDefinition
Apowerfulfamilythatrulesforaconsiderable
time
Therehavebeenapproximately11dynasties
DynasticCycleDefinition
TheebbandflowofChinesedynasties
DynasticCycleCharacteristics
Onegeneraltakesover
Periodofpeaceandprosperitywithintellectual
growth
Periodofterritorialexpansion(height)
Gradualweakeningandincreasingtaxation
(begindecline)
Periodofsoftnessandemphasisonluxury
Problemsintheempire:
Emperordiesyoung
Hiswifesfamilymovesintopalace
Empressandheradvisorsrelyheavilyonthe
eunuchs
Whenchildascendsthethrone,heavily
dominatedbymotherandeunuchs

Succeedingsonsincreasinglyweaker
Peasantsrevolt
Militarytroubles/mutiny
Invasionfromoutside
Fightamongmilitaryfactionsonegeneral
emergesvictorious(DynasticCyclebegins
again)
How/whydodynastiesend?
MandateofHeavenisrevoked
ThedeityHeavengavetherighttorule
Chinatoanemperorordynasty
Iftheemperorfailedinhisduty,the
Mandatewaswithdrawnandgivento
another
EmperorwascalledtheSonofHeavenand
treatedassemidivine
Emperorcouldlosehismandatefornot
controllingwaters(floods,drought,etc)and
invasions
Theorywasformalizedbyscholarbureaucratsof
theHandynasty

APPENDIX#11

TheMingDynasty
FocusQuestion:DoestheDynasticcycleapplytotheMingDynasty?
Directions:Readthenotesbelow.Highlightorunderlineeventsthatdemonstrateparts
ofthedynasticcycleandnoteinthemarginwhichpart.Theremaynotbeeventsfor
everypartofthedynasticcycle.

YuanDynasty(12791368)
Mongols,outsiders,ruledChinafor89years
Rapidinflationofcurrencyandtheformationofsecretpeasantsocieties
contributedtotheirdecline
MingDynasty(13681644)
Beginnings
In1368,aBuddhistmonkandsoldierZhuYuanzhangledarebellionto
overthrowtheMongols
Zhubecameemperor,changedhisnametoHungWu(VastMilitary
Achievement)andgavethenameMing(brilliant)tohisdynasty
HungWu,originallyamemberofapoorpeasantfamily,becamethemost
powerfulindividualinChina
Hadabsolute,despoticpower
Bureaucracy
Efficient
Severalcensusestodeterminepopulationandrevenue
Imperialrevenuescamemainlyfromagriculture
Requiredservicetothestate
Madealloccupationsheredity
Peasants,artisans,soldiers
Standingarmyof2million
Civilserviceexams
Confucianorthodoxy
Mostenduringreform
Channelforofficialrecruitment
Capital
DuringWusrule
NankingSoutherncapitalontheYangtzeriver
Helpedmerchants
DuringWussonsrule(YungLo)
RelocationoftheCapital
Peking/BeijingNorthernCapitalbetterstrategicdefenseagainst
Mongols
CreationoftheImperialandForbiddenCity
Quartermilecompoundwhereemperorlived(1420
1912)
Filledwithpalatialbuildings

ForeignAffairs
OccupiedmuchofHungWusattention
RepeatedlyinvadedMongolia(5expeditionsagainstMongols)
StrengtheningandextensionoftheGreatWall(13681550)
Servedtoprotectthenorthernpartsoftheempire,sheltering
towns,cities,andtheinnercountryside
HasbecomesymbolofChina
Trade
ForbadefreecommercialcontactsalongthecoastsbetweenChineseand
foreignmerchants
Wantedtribute
Navalexpeditions
DuringYungLosreign
VoyagesofZhengHe(ChengHo)
Mingnavigator
14051433
ExpeditionstoSoutheastAsia,India,Africa,theArabianPeninsula
EstablishedChinaasthegreatestmaritimepowerintheworldatthetime
ExtendedtheprestigeoftheMingDynastythroughoutAsia
Increasedtrade
Sizeoffleet:
62ships
27,800men
Flagshipwas440feetby180feet
ComparewithColumbus
3ships
flagshipwas120feetby25feet

Voyagesterminated
Confuciancourtintellectualspersuadedtheemperorthathisquest
forstrangeandexoticthingssignaledthecollapseofthedynasty

Neededtofocusresourcesonpotentialinvasions
After1435,Chinareturnedtoapolicyofisolation
ReasonsfordeclineofMingDynasty
Financialextravagance
Officialcorruptionandbureaucraticfactionalism
Abuseofpowerbycourteunuchs
Neglectofpublicworks
MilitarydefeatbyMongols
Inabilitytocollecttaxesandstrengthenarmy
InvasionbyManchus(BeginningofManchudynastyin1644)
DoestheDynasticcycleapplytotheMingDynasty?Givespecificexamplestosupport
orrefute.

IstheDynasticcycleagoodwaytoviewDynastiesoverall?Justifyyourresponse.

LESSONSONCHINA
AmyPollin
WootenHighSchool
MINGDYNASTYCULTUREANDTECHNOLOGYLesson#5
Topic:
LessonontheculturalandtechnologicaldevelopmentsoftheMingDynasty
Materials:
Videoworksheet(Appendix#12)
DiscoveryChannelVideo:SecretsoftheGreatWall(1999)
Picturesofforbiddencity,Chineseporcelain,silk,etc.
Setactivity:
Discussion:
WhathavebeentheGreatempires/societiesinhistory?
Whatmakesthemgreat?
Territorialacquisitions,Culturalachievements,scientificadvancements,
etc.
ShowpicturesoftheForbiddenCityandMingChineseartworktoshowpowerand
prestigeofMingDynasty
Discussion:
HowistheForbiddenCitysimilaranddifferentfromothercivilizationscapitals?
Whatdoesasocietyneedinordertoproducesuchgreatartandarchitectural
achievements?
Greatpeople,relativepeaceandeconomicprosperityinordertohavetime
andmoneytospendonluxuryitems
MainActivity:
TheMingDynastyisconsideredagreatdynastyinChinesehistoryforsomeofits
culturalaswellastechnologicalachievements
DuringtheMingDynasty,inordertoprotectfrominvadersfromthenorth,the
governmentreinforcedpartsoftheGreatWallthathadbeenfirstbuiltduringtheQin
Dynasty1500yearsearlier
Passoutvideoworksheetforstudentstotakenotesonastheywatchthevideo(Appendix
#12)
WatchpartoralloftheDiscoveryChannelVideo:SecretsoftheGreatWall
Showentirevideo(52minutes)
ShowsectionontheQinandtheMing(fastforwardthroughtheHan)
ShowsectionontheMingandtheGreatWall(20minutes)
31minutesto52minutes

Conclusion:
Discussion:
LookingatthearchitectureoftheForbiddenCityandtheGreatWall,whatdoesit
tellyouabouttheMingDynastythatbuiltthesetwoamazingstructures?
WhataretheconsequencesfortheMingofbuildingthesestructures?

APPENDIX#12

TheGreatWall
Directions:WatchtheDiscoveryChannelvideoontheSecretsoftheGreatWallof
Chinaandanswerthefollowingquestions:
1.WhenwastheGreatWallbuilt?

2.WhywastheGreatWallbuilt?

3.HowwastheGreatWallbuilt?

4.WhatwerethecostsofbuildingtheGreatWall?
DuringQinDynasty

DuringMingDynasty

5.Howdidsoldierscommunicatealongthewall?

6.HowdidtheMingcontributetotheGreatWall?

APPENDIX#12(AnswerKey)
TheGreatWall
Directions:WatchtheDiscoveryChannelvideoontheSecretsoftheGreatWallof
Chinaandanswerthefollowingquestions:
1.WhenwastheGreatWallbuilt?
StartedintheQinDynastyin221BC
HanexpandedthewallintotheGobiDesert
Mingbuiltandrebuiltlargesectionsofthewall
2.WhywastheGreatWallbuilt?
ProtectionagainstNorthernbarbarians
SignaltoattackingforcesofpowerandstrengthoftheChinese
3.HowwastheGreatWallbuilt?
Earthandstone
Thousandsofmileslong
Armyof300,000men
1820feethighwith26foothightowers
Usedlocalmaterialsstone,earth,clay
10yearstobuildwallalongnorthernborder3,000miles
~1mile/dayduringQinDynasty
4.WhatwerethecostsofbuildingtheGreatWall?
DuringQinDynasty
$260billion
Slavelabor
Morethan1milliondeaths
7%ofpopulationwasinvolvedintheconstruction
Qingovernmentwasweakenedandcollapsedbecauseofcost
DuringMingDynasty
$380billion
1mandiedforeveryyardbuilt(~8millionmen)
BecamesymbolofChina
IronyManchusinvadedfromNorth
5.Howdidsoldierscommunicatealongthewall?
Smokesignals
6.HowdidtheMingcontributetotheGreatWall?
Rebuiltandbuiltmorewallthananyotherdynasty
SignaltoattackingforcesofMingDynastysstrength

LESSONSONCHINA
AmyPollin
WootenHighSchool
RESISTANCETOIMPERIALISM:OPIUMWARSLesson#6
Topic:
LessononChineseinteractionswithforeignersduringtheAgeofImperialismwitha
focusontheOpiumWars
Materials:
Classsetofdocumentsfrom
Reilly,Kevin.WorldsofHistory.Vol.2.Boston:Bedford/St.Martins,2000.224263.
Questionsforreading(Appendix#13)
Setactivity:
Discussion:
WhydidtheChinesecalltheirempiretheMiddleKingdom?
HowdoesthishelpexplainChineseattitudestoWesterners?
Duringthe1800s,Chinaresistedwesternindustrialization,technology,andeconomic
changes
MainActivity:
Individually,havethestudentsreadthevariousprimarydocumentsandanswerthe
questionsontheguide(Appendix#13)
Conclusion:
Discussion:
Fromwhatyouhaveread,howsuccessfulwastheChinesegovernmentin
resistingforeigndominationduringtheAgeofImperialism?

APPENDIX#13

TheOpiumWar
Directions:Readthedocumentsinthepacketandanswerthefollowingquestions:
ReadHistoricalContext
1.WhydidtheChinesegotowar?
2.WhydidtheBritishgotowar?
Table1
3.WhydidtheBritishstarttradingopiuminChina?

4.WhatyeardidtheChinesemakethesaleofopiumillegal?
5.WhydidtheChinesemakethesaleofopiumillegal?

6.Whatsortofincreasedoesthetableshow?

7.Whatelsedoyoulearnabouttheopiumtradefromthistable?

Table2
8.HowdidtheBritishtradeopiumifitwasillegal?

9.HowimportantwasopiumcomparedwiththeotherBritishimportslistedintable2?

ReadMemorialsonLegalizationandEliminationofOpiumandanswerthefollowing
questions:
10.Whataretheargumentsforlegalization?

11.Whataretheargumentsforelimination?

TreatyofNanking,1842
12.WhatweretheprovisionsoftheNankingtreaty?

13.TowhatextentdidtheBritishsucceedinachievingthegoalstheysoughtinthewar?

LESSONSONCHINA
AmyPollin
WootenHighSchool
RESISTANCETOIMPERIALISM:SPHERESOFINFLUENCELesson#7
Topic:
LessononChineseinteractionswithforeignersduringtheAgeofImperialismwitha
focusontheBoxerRebellionandthedivisionofChinaintoSpheresofInfluence
Materials:
Overheadofnotes(Appendix#14)
BlankmapofChina
MapofChineseSpheresofInfluence(textbook)
Setactivity:
Yesterday,wereachedtheconclusionthattheManchugovernmentwasnotsuccessfulin
keepingforeignerscompletelyoutofChina.
WhatterritorydidGreatBritainreceiveaspartoftheTreatyofNankingthatendedthe
OpiumWar?
MainActivity:
WhiletheQingDynastywastechnicallystillinpower,foreigngovernmentsdominated
differentpartsofChina
Inyournotes,writedownthedefinitionforSpheresofInfluence(Appendix#14)
A geographic area more or less under the control of a nation considered to have
paramount political or economic interests in the region
Ex. Russia won right to build a railway across Manchuria and a twentyfive-year lease on a large section of the region in 1896
Ex. In 1897, Germany forcibly secured a ninety-nine-year lease on the
port of Chaozhou as well as mining and railroad rights in the adjacent
Shandong province
AlthoughtheChineseterritoryandpeoplewerecomingunderforeigndominance,there
wereadditionalattemptsatresistanceliketheBoxerRebellion
DiscussandtakenotesontheBoxerRebellion
Conclusion:
Usingyourtextbookasaguide,completeamapthatshowsChinasspheresofinfluence
andwhichforeigncountrydominatedeachregionorport.

APPENDIX#14

Foreign Influence in China

Spheres of Influence
A geographic area more or less under the control
of a nation considered to have paramount
political or economic interests in the region
Resistance to Foreign domination
Boxer Rebellion, 1899-1900
Fanatical anti-foreign secret society,
(Harmonious Righteous Fists), went on a
rampage throughout China and killed
thousands of foreigners as well as Chinese
converts to Christianity
In 1900, attacked foreigners in capital,
Beijing (Peking), and laid siege to the
district housing the foreign legations
American response
US led international relief force with
2,500 American soldiers
Drove back the Boxers and rescued the
occupants of the besieged areas, they were
mainly trapped in Beijing
Consequence of Boxer Rebellion
Further weakened Chinas government

LESSONSONCHINA
AmyPollin
WootenHighSchool
THEINTERWARYEARSINCHINALesson#8
Topic:
LessonlinkingChinesepoliticalinstabilityduringtheinterwaryearswithJapanese
aggression
Materials:
TimelineofChineseandJapanesepoliticalchanges(Appendix#15)
Setactivity:
ReviewChineseandJapanesepoliticalandeconomicchangesduringthe19thcenturyas
background.
ChinaWeakenedgovernment,nonindustrialized,spheresofinfluence
JapanJapanesespirit,Westerntechnology,industrialization,Meijiperiod
MainActivity:
Passouttimeline(Appendix#15)forstudentstocomplete
Conclusion:
Writeathesisstatementansweringthequestion:
HowareChinaandJapanshistoriestiedtogetherduringtheinterwaryears?
WHY?
Sharethesisstatementswiththeclass

JapanandChinaduringthe1920sand1930s

APPENDIX#15

Directions:
Underlineleaders
Circlepoliticalparties
(*)Examplesofexpansion/aggression
Putaboxaroundexamplesofoppositiontotherulinggovernment
TimelineofChina
19111912

ManchuDynastyoverthrown(fallof2,000yearolddynastic
system)
YuanShihkaielectedpresidentoftherepublic

1914

Yuandissolvedparliamentandruledasadictator

1915

JapanseizedGermanholdingsinChina(ShantungPeninsula)

1916

Yuandied;powerresidedwiththelocalwarlords

May4,1919

5,000studentsinPekingprotestedprovisionintheVersailles
treatythatgaveJapantheShantungPeninsula
Sparksbroadnationalistmovement

1923

SunYatsen,leaderoftheNationalistparty,alliedwiththe
CommunistThirdInternationalandtheChineseCommunistparty

1925

Sununexpectedlydied;ChiangKaishekassumedcontrol

19267

ChiangledNationalistarmiesinsuccessfulattackonwarlord
governments

April1927

Chiangpurgedgovernmentofcommunists

September1927

AutumnHarvestUprisingunsuccessfulcommunistpeasantrevolt

1928

Nationalistsconsolidatedtheirruleandestablishnewcapitalat
Nanking
CommunistssetupcenterinsoutheasternChina

193034

NationalistscampaigncontinuallyagainsttheChinesecommunists

1934

MaoTsetungledCommunistsonLongMarchtonewbasein
northwesternChina

1937

JapanesemilitaryandultranationalistsattackedChina

1938

JapanesearmiesoccupiedsizableportionsofcoastalChina
NationalistsandCommunistsretreatedtotheinterior

TimelineofJapan
1910

Japanhadmasteredmodernindustrialtechnology

191418

JapaneseeconomysoaredwonnewEuropeanmarkets

1919

JapangrantedGermanholdingsinAsia

1920s

Japanseemedheadedtoademocracy
Twopartycompetition
StandardoflivingwashighestinAsia

1922

JapansignsnavalarmslimitationagreementwithWesternpowers
andreturnedsomeofitscontrolovertheShantungPeninsulato
China

1925

Allmalesover25yearsoldwontherighttovote

1930

GreatDepressionhitJapan

1930s

Ultranationalistsemerged
ViolentlyantiWestern,rejecteddemocracy,bigbusiness,and
Marxiansocialism
PreachedforeignexpansionAsiaforAsians

1932

JapanproclaimedManchuriaanindependentstatewithaManchu
puppetasemperor
LeagueofNationscondemnedJapansactions
Japanresignedinprotest

1937

JapanesemilitaryandultranationalistsattackedChina

1938

JapanesearmiesoccupiedsizableportionsofcoastalChina

*HowareChinaandJapanshistoriestiedtogetherduringtheinterwaryears?WHY?

LESSONSONCHINA
AmyPollin
WootenHighSchool
THERAPEOFNANKINGLesson#9
Topic:
LessonontheRapeofNankingandanalyzingitsimpactonChineserelationswithJapan
today.
Materials:
ReadingfromIrisChangsTheRapeofNanking
Reilly,Kevin.WorldsofHistory.Vol.2.Boston:Bedford/St.Martins,2000.405409.
Setactivity:
WehavebeenlearningabouttheHolocaustinEuropeofJewsbytheNazigovernment.
HowdoyoudefinethetermHolocaustandwhatisthedifferencebetweenHolocaust
withacapitalHandholocaustwithasmallh?
MainActivity:
WearenowgoingtoreadaboutanotherhorrendouslossoflifethatoccurredinChinain
1937.
Asyouread,thinkabouthowyouwillrespondtothefollowing:
TheRapeofNankinghasbeencalledtheHolocaustofChina.
Assessthevalidityofthisstatement.
ReadtheexcerptfromIrisChangsTheRapeofNanking
Conclusion:
Individually,writeyourresponsetothefollowing:
TheRapeofNankinghasbeencalledtheHolocaustofChina.
Assessthevalidityofthisstatement.
Usedetailsandexamplesfromthereadingandhistorytosupportyourargument.
Discussresponsesasaclass

LESSONSONCHINA
AmyPollin
WootenHighSchool
CHINASINCEWWIILesson#10
Topic:
LessononMaospoliticalandeconomicpoliciesaswellasthechangesthathave
occurredafterMaosdeath.
Materials:
Lecturenotes(Appendix#16)
-Maos little red book
-Questions for textbook reading (Appendix #17)
McKay,AHistoryofWorldSocieties
Setactivity:
ChinaBackgroundREVIEW
WWII:
US supported Chiang Kai-shek, head of Nationalist party, both
during and immediately after WWII (more than $2 billion sent to
China)
During WWII, the US gave them massive military aid to prevent
China from being taken over by Japan
Communists gain support within China
Runaway inflation and widespread corruption
Well-organized Communists appealed to poor landless peasants
October 1949
All of mainland China became communist
Nationalist party moved to Formosa (Taiwan)
Ruled by Mao Tse-tungs Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Mao ruled from 1949-1976 (his death)
Applied Marxism to a predominantly agricultural peasantry
MainActivity:
LectureonMaospolicies(Appendix#16)
AskifanystudentsparentswereinChinaduringtheCulturalRevolutionandhear
stories.
PassaroundMaosLittleRedBook
Completereadingintextbookandanswerquestionstofindoutmoreaboutlifeunder
MaoaswellaswhathappenedinChinaafterMaosdeath.

Conclusion:
Discussion:
WhatishappeninginChinatoday?HowwouldyoudescribeChinasgovernment?
Economy?RelationswiththeU.S.?

APPENDIX#16

Lecture on Maos Communist Programs

At first, Mao seemed to want to carry out pragmatic social and economic reforms
Ex. First Five-Year Plan (1953-58) led to industrial growth
Collectivization and redistribution of land
Harsher policies developed over time
Create a centralized government
Forge a friendship with Stalin (disliked weakness of Khrushchev)
Liquidation of class enemies
Re-education and self-criticism to eliminate opposition
Began to press too quickly for modernization
Great Leap Forward (1958-62)
Rapid industrial buildup
Steel and Grain were seen as pillars of economic
development
STEEL:
Thousands of backyard blast furnaces were
built in urban neighborhoods and collective farms as
part of an effort to increase the production of steel
Iron was low quality
GRAIN:
Intensified collectivization and called for unrealistic
increase in production of foodstuffs which failed
Harvests failed and agriculture collapsed
Men were pulled to work on steel
production instead of harvest
Local officials wanted to appear like
they had record numbers-> state taking
more food for exports-> not enough
food for workers (but looked good
internationally!)-> starvation
Famines of 1959 and 1960 killed
an estimated 15 million (as high
as 20-30 million)
Failure caused splits within CCP and opposition to Mao
grew

The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

1966-1976
Policy used by Mao and his wife, Jiang Qing (primary
architect of policy) to strike their political enemies)
Purpose was to purge China of Middle Class culture and
thought and revolutionize the country
Also purge CCP authorities who were criticizing Mao
and the Great Leap Forward
Censorship was absolute
Indoctrination was crushing
The Little Red Book (pass around)
Collection of Maos sayings
Red Guards
Youth movement carried out by young army
soldiers and communist activists
Mobilized the masses
Put anyone on trial who they considered to be
untrue to revolutionary communist ideals
Victims were demoted, harassed, arrested, sent
to labor camps for reeducation, executed
No one was immune
Even key CCP figures like Deng
Xiaoping, general secretary of the Party
(and years later, supreme leader of
China) was arrested
Caused chaos and resentment
Ended with Maos death in 1976

ChinaPost1945
Directions:Readinyourtextbookandanswerthefollowingquestions.
CHINA:
1.WhatpathdidChinatakeafterWorldWarII?

2.WhyweretheCommunistssuccessfulingainingpowerinChina?

3.WhatpoliciesdidtheCommunistsimplement?

4.InwhatwaysdidMaofollowStalinscommunistpolicies?

5.InwhatwaysdidMaospoliciesdifferfromSovietpolicies?

6.WhydidChinaandtheUSSRsplitinthe1960s?

APPENDIX#17

7.DescribetheGreatProletarianCulturalRevolution.

8.DescribeChinassecondrevolution.

9.WhathappenedtoattemptsforgreaterdemocracyinChinainthe1980s?

APPENDIX#17(AnswerKey)

ChinaPost1945
Directions:Readinyourtextbookandanswerthefollowingquestions.

1.WhatpathdidChinatakeafterWorldWarII?
ChinaUnderMaotransformeditselfintoastrong,selfconfidentcommuniststate
2.WhyweretheCommunistssuccessfulingainingpowerinChina?
Wonpeasantssupport
Reducedrents
Enticedintellectuals
Usedpropaganda
Wellorganizedcommunistsupport
Japansaggression
LongwarwithJapanweakenedNationalistgovernment
3millionChinesesoldierskilled
Deficitsandrunawayinflation
3.WhatpoliciesdidtheCommunistsimplement?
Redistributionoflandtopeasants
Liquidation/purgingofenemies
Centralizationgreatpower
4.InwhatwaysdidMaofollowStalinscommunistpolicies?
5yearplanofindustrialization
Collectivization
Abolishedculturalandintellectualrightsandfreedoms
Moreequalityforwomen
5.InwhatwaysdidMaospoliciesdifferfromSovietpolicies?
GreatLeapForward
Soaringindustrialgrowthwastobebasedonsmallscalebackyard
workshopsrunbypeasantslivingingiganticselfcontainedcommunes
Producedeconomicdisaster
6.WhydidChinaandtheUSSRsplitinthe1960s?
MaosGreatLeapForwardwascriticizedbyKhrushchev
*MaodidnotlikeorrespectKhrushchevashehadStalin
USSRcutoffaid
7.DescribetheGreatProletarianCulturalRevolution.
Objective
Purgethepartyofbureaucratsandintellectualsandrecapturethe
revolutionaryfervorandsocialequalityoftheLongMarch

RedGuardsyoungpeoplewhoformedradicalcadres
Results
Mobilizedthemasses
Shookuptheparty
Createdgreatersocialequality
Createdgrowingchaos
Crisisofconfidence,especiallyinthecities
8.DescribeChinassecondrevolution.
DengXiaopingmoderatecommunistleader
InstitutedFourModernizations
Agriculture,industry,scienceandtechnology
Changefromcollectivizationoffarmingtosmallscale,familyrunfarms
Increasedfoodproductionbymorethan50%
Increasednutrition
9.WhathappenedtoattemptsforgreaterdemocracyinChinainthe1980s?
Governmentbannedalldemonstrations
Graduallyhaltedtrendtowardfreereconomy
TiananmenSquareApril,MayandJune1989studentdemonstrations
June4,1989
Tanksrolledinandatleast700studentswerekilled

LESSONSONCHINA
AmyPollin
WootenHighSchool
THELASTEMPERORLesson#11
Topic:
Lessonrevolvingaroundthemovie,TheLastEmperor,inordertoseethechangesin
Chinaduringthe20thcentury.
Materials:
Movie,TheLastEmperor(162minutes)PG13
Moviereflectionpaperdirections(Appendix#18)
Setactivity:
BrainstormasaclasssignificantpoliticalchangesinChinaduringthe20thcentury.
Makealargetimelineontheboardandaddeventstothetimelinewhereappropriate.
MainActivity:
Watchthemovie,TheLastEmperor,inordertoseethepoliticalchangesinChinaofthe
20thcenturythroughthestoryofPuYi,thelastQingEmperorofChina.
Conclusion:
Havethestudentswriteareflectionpaperanalyzingthehistoricalaccuracyofthemovie.
(Appendix#18)

ReflectionPaper

APPENDIX#18

Directions:Inatwopage,typedpaper,youwillreflectonthemovieyouwatchedin
class.Considerthefollowingquestions:

Howhistoricallyaccurateisthefilm?
Didthemoviedescribepasteventsinaformatthatwaseasilyunderstandable?
Didyoulearnsomethingnewfromthemovie?
Wouldyourecommendthemovietoothers?

Makesuretoincludedetailsandexamplesthroughoutyourpaper.

LESSONSONCHINA
AmyPollin
WootenHighSchool
CHINA:THENANDNOWLesson#12
Topic:
SummarylessononsignificantplacesinChinasrichhistory.
Materials:
PowerpointpresentationfrommyFulbrightHaystriptoChina(summer2006)
PresentdaymapofChina
China:ThenandNowworksheet(Appendix#19)
Setactivity:
Throughouttheschoolyear,wehavestudiedChinaspolitical,economic,andcultural
development.
Lastsummer,IhadtheamazingexperiencetovisitChinaandfrommytravels,Icreated
apowerpointpresentation.
Passoutmapwithcitieshighlightedforstudentstofollowalongaswellasworksheetfor
studentstotakenotes.(Appendix#19)
MainActivity:
Showpowerpointpresentationandhavethestudentstakenotesandaskquestionsaswe
goalong.
Conclusion:
Discussion:
Ofallthecities,whichwouldyoumostliketosee?
Ofallthetimeperiodswediscussed,whichfascinatedyouthemost?

APPENDIX#19

CHINA:ThenandNow
Directions:Asyouwatchthepowerpointpresentation,takenotesonthesignificanceof
eachofthetermslistedbelow.
1.Beijing

2.TiananmenSquare

3.TheForbiddenCity

4.TheGreatWall

5.SummerPalace

6.TaishanandLaoshan

7.Qufu

8.Confucius

9.Xian

10.TerracottaWarriors

11.Yanan

12.YunnanProvince

13.Shanghai