19th century China -- clayton dube

[Anonymous]

Stephen,
Thanks for posting the link to Lin Aexu's letter to Queen Victoria. I just now had time to take a look at it. I printed out the letter for myself so I can go back later and read it more carefully. I checked out the link titled "Other Chinese Websites" at the top of the letter and found a lot of things I'll use for my students. Some of the links no longer connected, but many did. This isn't my web resource review, just a note to say thanks for sharing this.
Suzanne Lopez

[Anonymous]

Cixi returned to the Imperial Court to call off the Emperor Guangxu's reform, and at the same time put him under house arrest and ordered eunuchs faithful to her to keep watch. And then, she supported Boxer Rebellion to kill thousands of missionaries and Chinese Christians. When the Eight Nation Alliance marched into Peking, she escaped the capital only to sign the treaty by paying the foreign powers huge amounts of silver. I had always wondered since I first read this section of the history in my middle school if Cixi let Guangxu do the reform, would this change the history?

[Anonymous]

In reviewing my notes I recognize the selected way in which selectivley I've taditionally taught about Chinese history prior to the 1930's and the answer is that I haven't, but that will be changing.
It is important to understand history through geography and so a discussion of prehistory and the advent of agriculture are important to the introduction of civilization. Powerpoint notes and slides work well for introducing new topics and though it does involve some straight ahead lecture (with interaction) works well for the initial inclusion of artifact slides, map slides and demographic slides in order to create important foundational connections. Getting students used to being able to recognize and integrate demographics and statistics of increasing complexity in their understanding of China's past.

Dividing the dynastic periods and major events of these eras with a concurrent study of China's great philosophers and major historical figures should be introduced to the students before 19th century Chinese history.

[Anonymous]

The documents and presentations regarding the Opium War, placards placed in Guangzhou was fascinating. How in the world, China felt this was acceptable rambles my brain. To accept the unfavorable terms of the treaty was quite interesting. To give up so much money, Hong Kong, and other things seemed drastic. It would be interesting to have been in the room when that was being discussed on both ends. That the Chinese people reacted through the documents presented by calling them barbarians, that they would meet force, and that they would also punish anyone assisting them was quite interesting. Yes, the powers at be agreed but the layman people did not. Questioning authority seems to be deferring from the normal reaction of knowing their place and being of their place without detraction.

[Anonymous]

When discussing the Opium Wars with the students, I always try to relate their lives as well as other dated material they may not be able to relate to.

Relating Modern Concepts to the Opium War
China was a wealthy country who had dominated trade and influence for a very long time with items such as silk, porcelain, and tea.

The United States has dominated the world since the late 19th century to today beginning with the Industrial Revolution to selling weapons and other supplies during WWI and WWII.

The British, trying to break down trade and tap into Chinese wealth began smuggling opium into the country and export currency from China.

Nowadays, Latin American drug lords have played to the high standard of living of the Americans by smuggling drugs into the country and exporting U.S. currency.

In the end, China and the U.S. were left with significant amounts of drug problems as well as a seemingly uncontrollable importation of drugs into the country.

Though details of economic as well as military impacts may not connect as well, the concept of the flea living off the fat cat seems to fit the bill pretty well.

[Anonymous]

Like Rob, I also enjoyed the lecture on Chinese Philosophy. I think this is the first time in which it is more thoroughly discussed than I had been exposed to before. Even though China is modernizing at a fairly rapid pace, these philosophical beliefs still hold merit today through the rituals and traditions the Chinese practice daily.

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