the qing dynasty (session 5 w/ clay dube)

[Anonymous]

Well later some territories were added and the lease on those 'New Territories' was 99 years. 1898 plus 99 was 1997. Beyond that, the geo-political situation has changed since then to say the least. What if China had simply informed Britain that they were taking over on Jan. 1, 1997? What if Britain had said no?
Beyond that I have enjoyed the Seminar so far. It is great for AP World History teachers, simply wonderful. I have long been fascinated with the Imperialism that bedeviled China and with Imperialism in general.

[Anonymous]

Under which dynasty did the Zodiac develop? Why?

[Anonymous]

Like Dr. Dube said about the Qing Dynasty being successful, I would agree. I would because I really think that it takes a lot for someone, a ruler, and/or a dynasty being able to allow for flexibility. It shows great power and wisdom for such ruler to be able to do that, to give up some things, to have their people happy and follow them.
edited by dcontreras on 7/25/2012

[Anonymous]

The letter from Lin Zexu to Queen Victoria was very direct and to the point. I do not believe though that the best way to get the Queen to stop the trade is by calling her subjects "barbarians" and suggesting that they be put to death. I'm pretty sure that would have been a turn off even if she did get the letter. Len Zexu does make many valid points and he is in the right. The British crown was making money off the trade of opium which directly hurt Chinese citizens.

[Anonymous]

It is always discouraging to see man’s inhumanity to man. It is especially demoralizing when greed underpins moral bankruptcy. The Treaty of Nanjing that ended hostilities between China and Britain spells out article by article the price China must pay for disrupting British drug dealers. It is ridiculous for any country to be punished for protecting its own citizens on its own soil. Would the U.S. ever pay foreign drug Cartels compensation for illegal drugs seized and destroyed, and then give them special trading opportunities to increase their business? Never! I suppose I should not be surprised that the same Englishmen that thought buying and selling human beings was a fine business would think selling highly addicting drugs to the Chinese was perfectly respectable.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure queen Victoria could have done much with parliament voting to attack China, although Gladstone was opposed. Very interesting to find out about why Hong Kong was returned to China and the Convention for the extension of Hong Kong. Learned a lot this afternoon.

[clay dube]

David makes a vital point about stressing the importance and value of all work. I agree with him on the need to walk that fine line. We want children to appreciate all those who labor. At the same time, we also need to help them understand that opportunities vary and it's great to keep one's options open. One can find masonry and many other jobs highly satisfying (and skilled labor such as that is well paid!), but one should choose one's occupation rather than being locked out of opportunities.

[Anonymous]

What does everyone think about modifying these documents to the reading levels of the students? I took a course last summer where a Stanford professor recommended modifying documents...

[Anonymous]

During the discussion of the opium wars during the Qing dynasty, I was reminded of a chapter in a book I read a long time ago for a undergrad lower-division history course, especially after the mention of steamships being able to go up rivers and the lack of a strong Chinese navy. The book was entitled The Tools of Empire: technology and European Imperialism in the Nineteenth Century by Daniel R. Headrick. I remembered a specific chapter about what gave the British an edge during the first opium war, and having something to do with steamships. The chapter I recalled was titled "The Nemisis in China," and is about the presence of gun ships (steam ships with guns), that enabled the British (and other European countries) to overpower China (and other Asian countries). I found the chapter very interesting, and would recommend it to help round out the information about the Opium War. Primary sources for the chapter was listed at the end.

[Anonymous]

I agree. I looked at my textbook. I teach one chapter, four lessons on China. I'd have to modify these documents quite a bit for my low performing EL's.

[Anonymous]

When discussing decline with the Manchu Dynasty I think it is important to remember that any large Empire has a period of growth, plateau and decline. This causes me to worry about Modern America too, but the UK seems to be doing alright despite the loss of their vast Empire. So maybe America can make that transition too.

[Anonymous]

At an AP Seminar, I was told that Chinese Dynasties and other Empires usually go thru a predictable period of expansion (increased vitality), plateau (maintaining advantages) and decline (decreased vitality). And these phases go in 80 to 100 year phases so that the average Empire/Dynasty often last from 250 to 300 years. The Mancu Dynasty does fit this pattern.

[Anonymous]

Regarding duration of Empires, and Dynasties. The Ottoman Turks probably hold the record for this at over 400 years, and the Romanovs of Russia had a pretty good run, though don't ask the serfs to agree with that.

[Anonymous]

I think I'll have my students compare the Asian dynasties with the Egyptian, ELA: compare/contrast, duration, land acquisition, government, etc.

[clay dube]

Hi Folks,
Put observations, comments, and ideas for teaching related to this session here. Qing 1644-1911 -- emphasis on the period 1800-1911.

[Author]

Posts