GLOBAL ASIA: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW
7
LESSON THREE
GLOBAL ASIA: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW
Pair with “Colonialism and Imperialism in Asia” by Anand Yang. (The article appears in The Seattle Times on May 14, 2015.)
INTRODUCTION
Lesson Three introduces students to western imperialism and colonialism in Asia. Professor Yang encourages readers to think about Asian
societies during the 18th and 19th centuries and how India (for example) was subjugated and how it confronted the ideas, practices and
institutions advanced by colonialism or imperialism. This lesson explores the impacts of imperialism and colonialism across Asia.
OBJECTIVES
• Students will expand their knowledge of western imperialism and colonialism in Asia between the 18th and 20th centuries.
• Students will explore the opportunities and challenges facing Asians from different classes and/or walks of life.
• Students will write a “diary entry” from another’s perspective and understand the importance of personal recordings for historians
and anthropologists.
FOCUS QUESTIONS
1.
How do you define colonialism and imperialism? What are the different impacts it had across Asia?
2.
What were some of the challenges and opportunities facing rulers and residents under foreign powers?
3.
What are examples of primary sources? Why would they be valuable?
MATERIALS
• The Seattle Times article “Colonialism and Imperialism in Asia”
• Computer/Internet access
• Projector
ACTIVITIES
Before Reading
1.
Explain to students that The Seattle Times article focuses on colonialism and imperialism in Asia. Share the author’s definition of these
terms: “Colonialism and imperialism, terms often used interchangeably, refer to economic and political domination, to the process
whereby a state exerts its authority and influence over another state and/or society.” Assess students’ prior knowledge of colonialism and
imperialism in world history. Take a few minutes to brainstorm examples that they have studied. Ask one to student to compile this rough
list on the board. Encourage students to discuss specific details and how they might relate or compare to Asian colonial history.
2.
India has often been described as the “jewel in the British crown.” Who said this? When? Why? Discuss several possible Indian perspectives:
Who might have been some of the winners and losers in India? Why?
During and After Reading
1.
Ask students to highlight information that is new to them as they read the article. After reading, ask students to share at least one new
fact that they learned. Next, ask them to choose five important terms or words from the article and then create an annotated glossary of
these terms. They can use the author’s wording and/or entries from a dictionary or encyclopedia. When they are finished, ask them to pair
up and share their short glossaries.
2.
The author writes: “Through a series of fortuitous circumstances, only Siam (Thailand) remained independent in the region.”
What do you think he means by this statement?
