Finding Sources (China Project) - 3/29/06

Bell-Work:

• How many sources do you have for your project?
• How many sources do you think you need?
• Why do you think research is an important skill in social studies?
  

Objective:
SWBAT find sources for their research projects.

Homework:
Work on your China project.

Dear students,

I have a list of all the topics you have chosen for your China research project. I am excited to read what you write. Every year when I do research projects like these, I learn from my students! There is no doubt in my mind that you will do your best on these projects and that I will learn a lot from you as you carefully study your topics.

I have taken the list of topics that you have chosen and found at least one place on the internet where you can find good information about each of them. Whether you are studying the one-child policy or the ancient dynasties of China, you will find links to good information here.

Please find your topic in the list below and click on a link that I have given you to read more about your topic. Complete a Taking Notes worksheet for every place you go to find information. I know that you will do your best and make me proud of the work that you do.

Sincerely,
Mr. Locke

China Research Topics:

A great place to learn about modern China from the BBC

• Forbidden City
• Time for Kids (easy)
• Forbidden City Tour (medium)
  
• Secret World of the Forbidden City (challenging)
  
• The Ming Dynasty
• History for Kids
  
• Democracy in China (human rights)
• A former U.S. President is trying to help bring democracy to China
• What former Chinese leader Deng thought about democracy (easy)
• Democracy in China (medium)
  
• One-Child Policy (human rights)
• BBC News (medium)
• High school report on one-child policy (easy)
• Overpopulation (hard)
• Asian Education (medium)
  
• The Opium Wars
• Infoplease (great!)
• mpcs.k12.md.us (great source! Don't worry about the questions, just read)
  
• Gober.net (just read the beginning)
• Chinese Civil War
• Australian encyclopedia (easy)
  
• Wikipedia (TONS of information; hard)
• History of China (medium)
• Chinese New Year
• Explore this site to find out more about the New Year (great!)
• Excellent site
  
• Great Wall of China
• Enchanted Learning (easy)
• about.com (medium)
  
• Wikipedia (great, but difficult)
• Silk Road/China's Goods
• History for Kids (easy)
• Map of the silk road
  
• Travel China guide (medium)
• silk-road.com (medium-hard)
• Encarta Encyclopedia (medium)
  

The China Project - Tuesday, 3/28/06

Bell-Work:

• What are human rights?
• Why are human rights important?

Objective:
SWBAT describe what they will do for the China Research Project.

Homework:
Continue taking notes for your research.

The China Research Project
Instead of a final test on China, every student in class will complete a China research project. For this project you will:

• Write a three-page paper on any topic you choose about China.
• The best papers will be included in a China podcast.

You will choose your topic as a group. This will allow the whole group to work together to research their topic, find books and websites together, and help each other to do their best work on the project.

Each group will choose 1 topic, but every student will write their own paper. One of our class goals is that you will leave this class able to do a research project. I want you to be the best writers you can be, and in order to do this, it takes practice.

Here are a few topic suggestions:

• Confucius
• The Forbidden City
• The Great Wall of China
• Ming Dynasty
• Shang Dynasty
• Qin Dynasty
• Chinese goods for trade (silk, porcelain, tea, etc.)
• The Silk Road
  
• The Opium Wars
• Chinese Civil War
• Human Rights in China
• One-Child Policy
  
• Democracy
• Communism in China

The 3-page draft of your research paper is due Wednesday, April 4th. We will review your projects in class and then the final draft will be due that Monday, April 9th.

2-4 of the best research papers in each class will be turned into podcasts!!!

What is a podcast? It's very similar to a radio broadcast, but on the internet. With a podcast, anyone from anywhere in the world can listen to and download your work. There are podcasts for music, comedy, travel, education and many other things.
Click here for a look to see what another class's podcast page looks like.

Research
Research is one of the most important parts of social studies. You need to be able to choose a topic, find places to read and learn about it, and then write about what you learned. One of the big goals of our social studies class is that you will be able to write a 5-page research paper.

The first thing you need to do for your research is choose a topic. Take a few minutes with your group to choose a topic. When you have chosen one, write down your topic in your notebook and show Mr. Locke.

Now that you have a topic, you need to find information. There are many places that you can get information, and where you look will depend on your topic. The best and most reliable place to look for information is in the library where you can find many books and magazines to find information. Another great place for information is on the internet.

When you are writing a research paper, you need to have many facts and details to put into the paragraphs that will make up your paper. A great way to keep track of these facts and details is to take notes. Write down the facts and details of what you read that you think are important or will make your paper more interesting.

Assignment #1 - Find 3 good sources of information on your topic.

• To find good sources of information, first check your textbooks. Your textbook will give you a little bit of information about all of these topics, and will help you figure out where to look.
• When you have found some information in your textbooks (the textbook may not have any information on your topic), go to the class library and try to find at least one book that will give you information on your topic.
• Once you have found a book, go to Google on the internet and enter the name of your topic to search for more information.
• A good place to look is in encyclopedias, like Fact Monster, Encarta, or Infoplease.
  
• Once you have found three places to get information (textbook, a book, a website), begin reading and taking notes together with your group.
• Write down all important and interesting details in your notebooks.
  
• You will use the information you get in your notes to write your research paper.

Homework:
Continue taking notes for your research.

Remember:

• Your first draft is due next Wednesday.
  
• The final draft due date is Monday, April 9th.
  

Tiananmen Square and Human Rights - Wednesday, 3/22/06 & Thursday 3/23/06

Bell-Work:

• What happened at Tiananmen Square in 1989? (2 sentences)

Objective: SWBAT explain how the idea of human rights relates to the Tiananmen Square Protests.

Homework:

• Wednesday: Is it important that people respect human rights? Why or why not? (1 paragraph)
• Thursday: How are political cartoons a good way to tell other people you opinion? Explain. (1 paragraph)

Think Question #1:
What are human rights?


The first group of people that claimed that their human rights were being violated were Americans. At the time, the United States was a colony of Great Britain. The Americans decided that their human rights were being violated because they did not have a voice in parliament: they wanted democracy. The British sent their army to America to stop the Americans from being independent and having democracy. This led to a war between America and Great Britain called the Revolutionary War. America won, and the Americans created the United States of America and had freedom and democracy.

Human Rights: The rights we have, because we are human beings. The right to life, freedom and human dignity.

Now, back to China...
This is a picture of the "goddess of democracy." The protesters at Tiananmen Square created this statue and put it up in the square as a way to send the message to the Chinese government that they wanted democracy. Of course, the Chinese government did not want to give the people the democracy they wanted....

(This Polish monument to Tiananmen Square, shows tank tracks and a destroyed bicycle.)

Think Question #2:

• How was the Chinese government's response to the Tiananmen protesters similar to the British response to the Americans who wanted democracy?

(Deng Xiaoping, China's leader during the Tiananmen protests.)

Assignment #1:
Write 1 paragraph to explain what this political cartoon means.
Remember: When you interpret a political cartoon, take the picture, the words and what you know about history and put it all together to come up with the message.

Assignment #2:

• Using what you know about Tiananmen Square, draw your own political cartoon.
• Come up with words and pictures to put together to tell the rest of the class what you think about Tiananmen Square.
  
• You will have today and tomorrow to complete this assignment. Work together as a group and try to be original.
• Don't copy the idea that you saw in the political cartoon above.
• Don't copy other people's ideas.
• Work together!
• When we complete our political cartoons, we will have a Gallery Walk.
• Each group will get to put their cartoons on display, like in an art gallery.
• You will get the chance to show other people your work, and see other groups the work that you did.
• DO YOU BEST!!! Others will be looking at your work.

Assignment #3: Complete the Gallery Walk worksheet.

Homework:

• Wednesday: Is it important that people respect human rights? Why or why not? (1 paragraph)
• Thursday: How are political cartoons a good way to tell other people you opinion? Explain. (1 paragraph)

Tiananmen Square - Tuesday, 3/21/06

Bell-Work:

• Describe what you see in this picture.
• How does it make you feel? Why?
  

Objective:
SWBAT describe what happened at Tiananmen Square in China in 1989.

Homework:
Explain in one paragraph what you think about Tiananmen Square.


Directions:

1. Read about Tiananmen Square & answer the Think Questions.
2. Define the term: "Human rights."
3. Complete Assignment #1.
4. Watch video clip of Tiananmen Square.
   

1. Reading - To find out more about Tiananmen Square, here is a link to today's reading. When you have finished reading, answer the Think Questions.
Read this page about Tiananmen Square from Fact Monster.

Think Question #1:

• The Chinese government is a communist government; the government has a lot of power, but the people have very little. For example, they do not have the right to vote for their leaders as we do in a democracy.
• The Tiananmen protesters wanted "democratic reforms". Why do you think the government did not want to do what the protestors wanted?

Think Question #2:

• Deng Xiaoping was #1 in the government; Zhao Ziyang was #2. Why did Deng "dismiss" (fire) Zhao from the government?
• Do you think Deng did the right thing?

Think Question #3:

• How many protestors were killed by the Chinese army (government)?

2. Define - Copy this definition of human rights from dal.lowell.smartedu.net.
Human Rights: The rights we have, because we are human beings. The right to life, freedom and human dignity.

Assignment #1:

1. Describe in 3 sentences what happened at Tiananmen Square and why it happened.
2. Do you believe that the Chinese government violated (broke) the Chinese people's human rights by what it did at Tiananmen Square in 1989? Why?
3. The Chinese government has not yet apologized for what happened at Tiananmen Square. As a group (1 letter per group) write the Chinese government a letter telling it why it should apologize for what it did.

Homework:
Explain in one paragraph what you think about Tiananmen Square.

Current Events in China - Wednesday, 3/15/06

Bell-Work:

• Are you glad you are finished with the math test?
• Was today's part easier or more difficult than yesterday's?
  

Objective:
SWBAT describe one current event in China by reading a Chinese newspaper.

Mr. Locke is trying to compile information on modern China. With the internet, the best way to find out what's going on in China is to read Chinese newspapers online!

• Check out this popular Chinese Newspaper.
  

Think Question #1:

• How many people live in China?
• Do you think there will be many newspapers there or only a few?
• Check this link to find out.
  

You will have a great deal of freedom during this lesson. You will get to choose Chinese newspapers and stories that interest you. You may read as many stories as you would like from any Chinese newspaper, but you must complete a News Info sheet for each story you read. The group with the most News Info sheets completed will be rewarded with a homework pass. If there is a problem with any of the links, please let Mr. Locke know.

Assignment #1
Go to these links to Chinese newspapers online. Choose any story you want to read on any of these websites. Complete a News Info sheet for each story you read. The group with the most News Info sheets completed will get a homework pass.

1. China People's Daily
2. China Daily
3. China News
4. Shanghai Daily News
   

Social Studies Procedures - Tuesday, 3/14/06

Bell-Work:

• How was the math test? Was it hard? Easy?
• Why is the math test important? Explain in two sentences.
  

Objective:
SWBAT describe class procedures to make social studies a place where everyone has the chance to learn and succeed.

Directions:

1. Read as a class.
2. Complete the Procedures worksheet.
3. Look back at Assignment #2, for class discussion of how we can make our classroom better.
   

The procedures are tied to the rules!!!
I want everyone to be able to succeed. To do this, there needs to be order, not chaos. Chaos is when everything is out of order and crazy. Order makes the classroom run well and gives EVERYONE the chance to learn and succeed in class.

Today, you will complete a worksheet on classroom procedures. We will practice these if we need to and do our best to learn and follow them so that we can get back to the business of learning so that we can succeed in the future!!!

CLOSE YOUR COMPUTER SCREENS NOW UNTIL YOU ARE FINISHED WITH THE PROCEDURES WORKSHEET.

Take another look at yesterday's assignment #2.
Assignment #2:
Below is a list of things Mr. Locke needs help with. Work with your group to come up with a brand new solution to the problems that Mr. Locke sees in class.

Things Mr. Locke needs help with:

1. Things in the classroom are messy. The bulletin boards are not up to date, the insides of the desks are out of order, the tops of the desks have lots of writing on them. What can we do to fix these problems?
2. It seems like many students forget the rules and procedures in class too frequently. What can be done to help us all remember what we're supposed to do in class?
3. Sometimes, it seems like choosing a technician is difficult for some tables. What can we do to make this process quicker and easier?

Social Studies Class Procedures - Monday, 3/13/06

Bell-Work:

• How should you come into class each day?
• If you could have a classroom job, responsible for keeping the classroom running smoothly, would you like to have one?
  

Objective:
SWBAT describe class procedures to make social studies a place where everyone has the chance to learn and succeed.

Homework:
If you could add anything to the procedures we already have in class, what would it be?

Mr. Locke needs your help!!!

You have already done so much to help him make our classroom run better. Because I was so happy with the results of our discussions last week, I want to continue looking at our classroom and finding ways to make it better. Below is a list of things Mr. Locke needs help with. He is counting on your ideas and creativity to come up with new and better ways to do things in social studies.

Assigment #1:
In 1-3 sentences each, please describe the procedure for each of the following class activities.

1. Coming into class each day.
2. Asking a question.
3. Making a comment or telling Mr. Locke something.
4. Asking to leave your seat for any reason.
5. Turning in your homework.
6. Leaving class each day.
   

Please tell Mr. Locke (in the correct way) when you have completed this assignment.

---

Assignment #2:
Below is a list of things Mr. Locke needs help with. Work with your group to come up with a brand new solution to the problems that Mr. Locke sees in class.

Things Mr. Locke needs help with:

1. Things in the classroom are messy. The bulletin boards are not up to date, the insides of the desks are out of order, the tops of the desks have lots of writing on them. What can we do to fix these problems?
2. It seems like many students forget the rules and procedures in class too frequently. What can be done to help us all remember what we're supposed to do in class?
3. Sometimes, it seems like choosing a technician is difficult for some tables. What can we do to make this process quicker and easier?

Classroom Jobs

Mr. Locke wants to give his students more responsibility in the classroom. You are getting older and, as you grow up, you will become more and more independent and people will expect you to take care of yourself and the things you are responsible for.

To help you learn these important life lessons, I plan on creating new classroom jobs. These jobs will be tied to where you sit in the classroom. Each table will have at least one responsibility that it will be their job to make sure is how it's supposed to be.


Assignment #3:

1. What jobs do you think should be created in class? Some jobs will be easy to create; others are not as obvious.
2. To create a job, you need three things:
1. Make up a name and description of the job.
2. Explain why your job is important to the classroom.
3. Describe the kind of person that would be the perfect person for this job.
3. If the job/jobs you come up with are good, Mr. Locke may use your ideas to create new positions for his students in class!
   

How to Behave in Class - Friday, 3/10/06

Bell-Work:

• Why do we have rules in social studies class?
• Why is it important to have rules?
  

Objective:
SWBAT describe how they should behave in Mr. Locke's class.

Homework:

• If everyone follows all the rules in social studies, what happens? (2 sentences)
• If some people don't follow the rules, what happens? (2 sentences)
• If no one follows the rules, what happens? (2 sentences)

Directions:

1. We will first continue our discussion of yesterday's student behavior survey.
   
2. Complete all the reading that is in purple.
3. Copy the class rules in green.
   
4. Complete Assignment #1 as a group.
   

Reading:
Lately, it seems as though many students are forgetting how they are supposed to behave in Mr. Locke's class. Because I want you to choose success and get the best education you can during your time at MS 126, we will take today's lesson to remind ourselves of the class rules and use this opportunity to correct any misbehavior that keeps happening over and over again.

The class rules are:

1. Respect your classmates, your teacher, and yourself.
2. Follow the teacher’s directions the first time they are given.
3. Act like the ladies and gentlemen you are
4. Class time is for class business.
5. Always try your best!

We are going to use today and tomorrow to review the class rules and procedures. We have been doing a lot of great work lately, and I want that to continue and even to get better. In order for that to happen, it is important that we all know and are following the rules.

We are going to change the consequences in class. Rather than having Mr. Locke say, "you have detention," and then not give detention, there will be several Student Reflection Sheets that you will need to complete as a consequence for breaking the rules or procedures. For example, if you are late, you will be asked to complete a "You were late to class" worksheet. Read below to see what it looks like.

You were late to class

In life there are penalties for being late. If you are late to your job, you can get fired. If you are doctor, late to surgery, your patient could die. If you’re a soldier late for your mission, you or members of your team could die.

Being late to class will not lead to anyone’s death, but it hurts your success in school and it keeps other people waiting to start class. This is rude and unacceptable.

As a consequence for being late, you need to copy these definitions from the dictionary about lateness on a separate sheet of paper. Do not leave any words out. Do not come late to class.

Main Entry: ¹late
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, late, slow, from Old English læt; akin to Old High German laz slow, Old English l[AE]tan to let
Date: before 12th century
1 a (1) : coming or remaining after the due, usual, or proper time late spring> (2) : of, relating to, or imposed because of tardiness b : of or relating to an advanced stage in point of time or development late Middle Ages>; especially : far advanced toward the close of the day or night <late hours>
2 a : living comparatively recently -- used of persons late John Doe> and often with reference to a specific relationship or status late wife> b : being something or holding some position or relationship recently but not now late belligerents> c : made, appearing, or happening just previous to the present time especially as the most recent of a succession late quarrel>
synonym see DEAD
- late·ness noun

Main Entry: ¹tar·dy
Function: adjective
Etymology: alteration of earlier tardif, from Middle French, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin tardivus, from Latin tardus
Date: 15th century
1 : moving slowly : SLUGGISH
2 : delayed beyond the expected or proper time : LATE
- tar·di·ness /noun

I understand that being late to class is rude and that it shows I do not want to succeed.

______________________________

Student Signature

That is what the "You were late to class" worksheet looks like. If you are late to class without a pass, you will need to complete this sheet until you are allowed to participate in the rest of class. Don't come late without a pass.

Assignment #1
It is important that all rules and consequences are fair and that they allow class to function well.

1. Calling out in class without being called on breaks at least one of our 5 rules. Which rule does it break? Explain your answer in one paragraph.
2. What should be the consequence for this action? With your group, write a 2 paragraph letter to Mr. Locke explaining what consequence you think there should be and why this consequence is fair or why it is not fair.

Homework:

• If everyone follows all the rules in social studies, what happens? (2 sentences)
• If some people don't follow the rules, what happens? (2 sentences)
• If no one follows the rules, what happens? (2 sentences)

China's Growing Influence - Wednesday, 3/08/06

Bell-Work:

• What did you think about yesterday's quiz?
  
• Was it hard? Was it easy?
  

Objective:
SWBAT explain why China is growing in importance and influence in the world today.

Homework:
Find at least 3 things in your house that were made in China. Write them down on a sheet of paper and briefly explain why China today is an important country.

Directions:

1. Do the "See For Yourself" activity as a group.
2. Complete the reading on China's Growing Influence.
3. Complete Assignments #1 & #2.
   

See For Yourself: Using the information you find in each link, discover for yourself many interesting facts about China.

1. How many people live in China? - Infer: How does this make China important?
2. How much money do people in China make each year? (Hint: #118) - How does this compare to America?
3. How much money does the whole country of China make each year?
   

Reading: China was once the richest country in the world and the model for all other civilizations. But after the Opium Wars, the effects of European imperialism and then years and years of terrible war, China grew very poor. Poverty is still a big problem in China, but the country is growing richer and richer.


China's trade with other countries is a big deal. It is because of this trade that China has been able to become richer. The U.S. does a lot of business with China, and so do many other countries. So many countries want to trade with China because they have a large population of people who are willing to work long hours for little money just to get a job. They are able to make many things (clothes, plastics, tools, computers, etc.) for very little money because their companies do not need to pay people very much to work for them. It is because of its rich trade and its potential for future wealth that China's influence is growing quickly.

Assignment #1:

1. WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR SEAT, find as many things in class as you can that were made in China (shoes, shirts, backpacks, etc.).
2. Why are so many of the things we use every day made in China?
3. How does this make China an influential country? Explain in at least 2 sentences.

Assignment #2:

1. Many people today believe China is one of the most influential countries in the world.
   
2. Do you agree that China is a very influential country? Why or why not?
3. You have just met someone who does not believe that China is very important. Using what you have learned about China in the world today, write 2 paragraphs that explain why China is important.

Homework:
Find at least 3 things in your house that were made in China. Write them down on a sheet of paper and briefly explain why China today is an important country.

Imperialism in China - Monday, 3/06/06

Bell-Work:

• Explain in two sentences: What were the Opium Wars?
• Explain in one sentence: How did the Opium Wars affect China?
  

Objective: SWBAT show how European imperialism impacted modern China.

Homework: Study for tomorrow's quiz.

British missionaries in China

Directions:

1. Click this link to find a definition of imperialism and write definition #3 in your notebook (if you already wrote a definition of imperialism in your notebook, you do not need to write it again).
2. Complete this reading: Today you will learn about imperialism in China. Many European countries (especially Great Britain) and Japan took over parts of China's economy and even some of its land in order to acquire riches for themselves.
1. After the Opium Wars, the imperial powers made China sign several treaties that people thought were very unfair. It gave foreign countries many rights that allowed them to do what they wanted in China. This is what we call imperialism.
   
2. This imperialism led to unrest in China, and eventually led to the fall of the Qing dynasty and the end of all dynasties there. China would never be the same again. Think Question #1: Why do you think there was unrest in China? How would you have felt if foreign countries were telling people in America what they should do?
   
3. The unrest in China led to two rebellions by the people of China. One rebellion, the Taiping Rebellion, was one of the bloodiest wars in all of history: nearly 20 million people died.
   
4. Complete the assignment below on imperialism in China.
   
3. Assignment #1: Look at the map below, representing imperialism in China and answer questions.

1. What kind of map is this?
2. What countries exercised imperialism in China?
   
3. What part of China was under French influence?
   
4. What part of China was under Japanese influence?
5. Do you think the people of China like the fact that these foreign powers were trying to control their country?
6. How did China change from 1911 to 1912?

When you finish assignment #1, complete the following assignment.
Assignment #2: Read this page about the Taiping and the Boxer Rebellions (the reading is at the bottom of the page). When you have finished this, complete the graphic organizer at the top of the page about the reading.

Wednesday & Friday, 3/01-03/06 - China & the Opium Wars (China's war on drugs)

Bell-Work:

• What is a foreigner?
• What is exploration?
• What question do you ask yourself when you want to find the cause of something?
• What do you ask when you want to find the effect?

Objective:
SWBAT explain the events leading up to and after the Opium Wars in China.

Homework:
Continue working on any assignment in this lesson.

Directions:
Today we will begin a lesson that should take us about two days to complete. We will learn about the fall of the Qing dynasty, the Opium Wars and European imperialism in China.

Though dynasties had ruled China for thousands of years, by the beginning of the 1900s (the 20th century), China's dynasties would fall. Today, China has a communist government: no emperors, no dynasties.

You will be working on the same lesson, same objective for the next 2 days. There are 2 Think Questions and 3 Assignments in this lesson. You and your group can work at your own pace! You get to decide how quickly you go. If there is something you don't understand, ask Mr. Locke.

Take your time reading, researching and answering the questions. By the end of the day on Friday, most of you should be finished with Assignment #2. Many of you will get to finish Assignment #3. Do as many assignments as you can.

Don't be lazy! You are in charge of your own learning for these lessons. If you are able to show that you can handle working independently, then you will get even more freedom in the future. If you can't handle this, however, you will not be able to use computers as often.
Remember: Do your best, CHOOSE SUCCESS!

<- The Ming fell...

the Qing took over ->

The Qing dynasty came from Manchuria (it is also called the Manchu dynasty). They ruled China well for many years, beginning in 1644.

Think Question #1 - How many years ago did the Qing dynasty begin ruling China?

People were still coming from around the world to buy Chinese goods, especially silk, porcelain and tea. But China refused to open up its country to foreigners. China was the center of the world, they thought, why should they tolerate these people from other, smaller countries? European traders, who wanted Chinese goods most of all, were not allowed out of the port of Guangzhou. This made the Europeans mad, but they had to deal with it because they wanted to get rich from trading wth China.

Assignment #1:

• As a group, read pages 509-510 in your green textbook.
• Answer these questions about what you've read in complete sentences.
1. What is opium
2. Did the Chinese emperors trust the European traders? Do you think they were right?
3. Why were the British able to beat the Chinese?
4. What happened to the Qing dynasty as a result of the fight with the British?
5. One official in China said:

• "The country will become poorer and poorer and its people weaker and weaker. Eventually not only will there be no adequate funds to support an army, there will be no useful soldiers at all!"
• What was he talking about?
• Do you agree with what he says? Why or why not?

The Qing Rulers did not trust the Europeans. The Europeans wanted the valuable silks, porcelain and other products from China, but had nothing besides silver and gold that the Chinese wanted.

The British discovered a way to avoid paying the gold and silver for Chinese goods: they could deal opium. Click here to find out about opium.

Think question #2:

• What is opium?
• In what countries is it mostly grown? Which continent are these countries in?

China’s emperor did not like the new British drug trade. It was hurting the people and the economy of China. An official was sent by the emperor to stop the drug trade. This official, Lin Zexu, got all the opium that the traders had and burned it.

The British did not like this. So…

THE OPIUM WARS BEGAN!!!

Great Britain beat China in the Opium Wars. China had invented many military technologies in the past, but the West (Europe and the USA) had developed new technologies that the Chinese could not match.

*EXTRA READING*: Click here, if you would like to find out more about the Opium Wars.

The European (Great Britain, France, Germany and Russia) along with Japan who had gained the same technologies as the West, began dividing China’s riches among themselves. Great Britain even made China give them the whole city of Hong Kong! China would never be the same again.

Assignment #2 - Look at this political cartoon:

• This is a French political cartoon. Written on the pie is the word "Chine," which means "China" in French. Each person represents a country in the cartoon: Great Britain, Germany, Russia, France, Japan and, in the back, China.
• Using the pictures and the words in this cartoon, as well as what you've learned about the Opium Wars in China, write 2 paragraphs to explain what this cartoon means.

Chinese warriors at the time of the Opium Wars

Assignment #3:

• Look up the word "imperialism" in the dictionary.
• Discuss with your group: Were the Opium Wars an example of imperialism? Why or why not?
• When your group has decided whether or not the Opium Wars were an example of imperialism, write a letter to Mr. Locke explaining what your group came up with.
• Make sure you explain why you think the way you do.