II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A. Early attempts at modernisation – reforms and revolutions
A2
Causes of modernisation:
Examine the relationship between Western encroachment and the
modernisation of China.
Number of periods required:
6 (Each period lasts for 40 minutes)
1. Teaching and Learning Background:
a.
This topic will be taught after the students have acquired some knowledge
and understanding of the meaning of modernisation. There are 35 students
in the class.
b.
Basically, students have clear concept of modernisation, and a
comprehensive understanding of the modernisation of China in the early 20 th
century.
c.
Students have understood the meaning of modernisation through the video
clips, and have discussed the meaning and features of modernisation with
reference to the experience of various countries. While the effect may not be
ideal, all students have the experience of making use of historical sources to
examine and analyze questions.
d.
Students are getting used to discussing and reporting with fellow students of
different abilities. A culture of collaboration and mutual support has been
cultivated.
e.
In general, there is still room for improvement in students abilities to analyze,
compare and discuss historical sources.
f.
The issue of different learning abilities still exists in the class, but more than half
of the students have already mastered basic analyzing skills.
g.
Collaborative learning in groups will still be adopted in teaching this topic.
Students will analyze and organize sources with regard to the assigned topic,
and then discuss and report to fellow students.
h.
The teacher should note whether students are able to analyze the sources
from various perspectives. Students’ routine and test performance should be
used as the basis for grouping, and as far as possible students of higher and
lower learning abilities should be put in the same group, so as to enhance
the collaboraton among students and to allow all students equal chance of
participation in class.
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
2. Teaching and Learning Objectives:
a. Students are able to find out the differences and similarities from sources,
while students of higher learning abilities can even identify causes that bring
about such differences and similarities from the sources.
b. After discussion and analyzing sources, students are able to describe the
situation of the invasion of the Asian region by Western imperialist countries,
and understand the causes of Western encroachment through citing concrete
examples.
c. Students can examine, through group discussions, the impact of Western
encroachment on the modernisation in China later (students can analyze and
discuss from the positive and the negative sides). Students can even master
the skill to respond to questions such as “Is Western encroachment the sole
factor leading to the modernisation of China”, and to prepare for essay
writing.
d. After 6 periods, the teacher may, through giving feedback to students’
reporting, consolidate students’ analyzing ability, and develop their skills of
concluding from sources.
3. Teaching and Learning Strategies:
a. The teacher distributes Background Cards 1-4 of Western encroachment,
which summarise the treaties signed between China and Britain, the USA,
France and Russia in the 19th century. (about 0.5 period)
b. Students analyze the causes of Western encroachment according to the
Background Cards. Students should use their own knowledge when they
analyze relative factors. (Worksheet 1) (about 0.5 period)
c. Students may further analyze, from the political, economic, and social aspects,
the effects of Western encroachment on China by using the information on the
Background Cards (Worksheet 2). (1 period)
d. A role play activity may follow. Students will be divided into 4 groups, including
conservative officials, open-minded officials, intellectuals and peasants, and
discuss their views on the effects of Western encroachment on China and their
responses (i.e. countermeasures) (Worksheet 3).
e. Students should report the outcome of their discussions. (About 2 periods)
f. The teacher leads students to discuss “Is Western encroachments the sole factor
leading to China’s modernisation”. They may understand some factors relating to
a few individual countries. Incidents such as Japan’s constitutional development
and Russia’s defeat in wars and revolutions may also be considered as factors
affecting China’s modernisation. (2 periods)

Students form 6 groups, each with 5 to 6 persons.

Students may discuss their views on the causes leading to the
modernisation of China, and list relevant arguments on (Worksheet 4).
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation

After discussion, each group reports to the whole class the outcome of
their discussion. Lastly, students write an essay according to the results
of their discussion.
g. After giving guidelines to students on writing the essay, the teacher
immediately explains to the students the incidents leading to the
modernisation in China, including the Late Qing Reform and the Nanjing
Government, and makes conclusions about the topic.
h. Before going through the above items, the teacher should ask students to
conclude and list out the criteria for a successful modernisation (Worksheet
5).
4. Expected Outcomes/Difficulties:
a. Since students’ abilities are mediocre in general and they cannot fully master
the skills of analyzing sources and drawing conclusions, the teacher must
take a step-by-step approach in guiding students to get involved in classroom
discussions.
b. Some students of lower learning abilities may rely on those of higher learning
abilities. The teacher should give them more encouragement and guidance,
so as to foster a positive culture of mutual support and assitance in class.
c. When learning how to write essays, students will make mistakes such as
misunderstanding the gist of the question, giving superficial content, and
failing to cite examples as evidences.
d. Since there will be students of different abilities in each group and they can
help each other, everyone has the chance to enhance his/her thinking skills
through discussion and reporting.
e. After the previous class, students should have basically mastered
examination skills such as how to analyze, conclude, discuss, and debate
with regard to sources, disprove, and discuss relative importance. The
teacher must offer appropriate assistance so as to consolidate students’ skills
and abilities in these aspects.
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
Worksheet 1
Modernisation and transformation of China –
Causes of Modernisation
Can you analyze and conclude about the causes of Western encroachment in the
19thcentury from the Background Information Cards 1 to 4?
(you may put  a in the appropriate boxes of the form below.)
Causes for
Eastward
Expansion
Political
Anglo-Chinese
Treaty of Nanjing
Sino-Russian
Treaty of Ili
Sino-French
Treaty of Tianjin
US Open Door
Policy




(Apart from economic
interests, they looked
for more territories as
the base for further
economic
development. Great
powers
such
as
Britain, even wanted
to set up more
overseas colonies to
show
her
strong
imperial
power.
Besides, Britain also
hoped to establish
equal
diplomatic
status.)
(During
the
turbulent days of
the Qing Court,
Russia
invaded
China. Ili was an
important strategic
point in Xinjiang,
occupying it would
enable Russia to
control Xinjiang. In
fact,
after
the
Anglo-French
Invasion, Russia had
forced China to sign
the Aihui Treaty to
show her power
while
the
Sino-Russian “Treaty
of Tianjin” and
“Treaty of Beijing”
further
enabled
Russian to invade
China. )
(France intended to
(The U.S. hoped to
control the whole
IndoChina.
After
the Franco-Prussian
War, France further
strengthened
her
encroachment
in
Annam in order to
increase
her
influence in Vietnam
and expand the
extent
of
her
empire.)
maintain
the
territorial integrity
of China in order
to safeguard her
interests in China.
Besides, the U.S.
had
already
annexed Hawaii,
Guam and the
Philippines in the
Pacific , therefore
she
aimed
to
expand in the Far
East.
More
importantly, the
Open Door Policy
could reduce the
clashes
and
conflicts
and
would avoid wars.)




(After the Industrial
Revolution, there was
industrial
and
commercial
development in various
countries.
They
became committed in
opening up the Asian
markets.
Besides,
Britian could solve the
(The occupation of
(Being defeated in
the Franco-Prussian
War, France had
strong desire to look
for
overseas
expansion
for
compensation,
especially
in
economic aspect.)
(The U.S. did not
Economic
Ili would enable
Russia
to
have
further
economic
development there
and open up a great
economic market.)
4
have
territorial
base in China.
Even if she wanted
to get a share in
the scramble for
concessions, her
efforts were in
vain. Thus, in
order
to
II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
deficit
problem
by
importing
opium.
Britain even hoped to
acquire
equal
commercial
opportunities by moving
to the East.)
safeguard
her
commercial
interests, it was
necessary
to
sustain China as a
free
market.
Britain
attached
great importance
to in China, but
the coastal areas
had been divided
into
Sphere of
Influence by the
Great
Powers.
The
British
commerical
advantages were
threatened. )

Social
(To
abolish
the
restrictions set by the
Qing court on British
merchants’ commerical
activities and activities in
other areas .)
Other
aspects
Free discussion and expression of opinions.
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
Worksheet 2
Modernisation and transformation of China -- Causes of Modernisation
Conclude from Background Information Cards 1 to 4, about the political, social,
and economic impacts of the following treaties on China.
Areas of
Influence
Anglo-Chinese
Treaty of Nanjing
Political
China lost her status of the
Celestial Empire because
“the
correspondence
between
the
two
countries”
must
be
conducted on “an equal
basis”.
China’s
territorial
sovereignty was infringed.
The cession of Hong Kong
made it
become a
Sino-British
commercial
base.
Economic
China was forced to open
five ports for Sino-British
commerical purposes.
China also lost tariff
autonomy. No more tax
should be imposed on
imported British goods.
Sino-Russian Treaty Sino-French Treaty
of Ili
of Tianjin
The Qing court ceded
one seventh of the
territories to Russia,
making China further
lost
her
territorial
sovereignty,
thus
affecting
her
international image.
China lost Annam, thus
cutting off her 200-year
tributary relationship
with Annam. After the
construction of the
railway
between
Yunnan and Vietnam,
French influence power
penetrated into the
southern border of
China through Annam.
China was unable to
protect her tributary
state, thus encouraged
the Great Powers, such
as Britain,
further
penetrated into Chinese
territories.
Indemnity amounted to
5000,000 rubles further
hit Qing’s economy , thus
obstructed
the
Self-Strengthening
Movement and affected
its effectiveness.
Huge indemnity affected
China’s development in
other aspects, thus further
worsen
Qing
Court’s
economy. and also made
Qing Court’s economic
condition
even
more
difficult.
Although China was not
required
to
pay
indemnity, the war cost
her one hundred million
taels and a debt of
2,000 million taels, the
Great
Powers
intensified
their
economic expansion in
China.
US Open Door
Policy
Able to maintain the
Chinese
soveignty
within the Spheres
of Influcence, Britain
and France gave
their consent to the
American proposal
respectively, so did
other powers. China
was able to survive
and escape from
partition under this
policy of equilibrium
among the Great
Powers.
This
policy
subsequently
became the basic
U.S. policy towards
China.
The Great Powers
changed their policy
towards China from
individual
to
collaborative action.
They
got
equal
opportunities
to
develop
industry
and commerce in
China.
The
policy
effectively hit the
economic interest of
the Great Powers in
China,
thus
increased
the
competitive power
of China’s industry
and commerce.
Because Qing Court could
not raise the tariff on her
own,
Chinese
goods
become
unable to
compete
with
the
China
had
the
opportunity to have
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
foreign(industrial) goods.
Social
Other
aspects
The British could enter and
leave
various trading
ports
freely.
Their
number going to China
increased, thus conflicts
with the local people
increased.
Finally
cultural differences led
to large-scale anti-foreign
movement.
tariff autonomy and
her
economic
condition could be
improved.
Since
the
Russians
possessed
right
of
navigation
in inland
river (Songhua River),
they were able to know
clearly China’s military
strength and the real
situation
of
other
aspects .
The establishment of
consulate increased the
contact between Russian
people and Chinese
people, thus created
diplomatic conflicts.
Prince Kung lost power,
the Qing Yi School
rose to power and
the Self-Strengthening
Movement entered the
third
phase
–
emphazised
the
establisment
of
enterprises
which
would
enrich
the
country.
Free discussion and expression of ideas.
7
People
acquired
relatively
more
equal
treatment
inside sphere of
influence.
II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
Worksheet 3 (Role Play)
Modernisation and transformation of China -- Causes of Modernisation
From the Background Information Cards, students largely understand the causes of Western encroachment
and the influences of various treaties on China. If you were a Chinese at that time, what would you think?
In addition, what responses would you make? Try to write your opinions and responses in the appropriate
spaces of the table below through group discussion. In the following activities, students may give free
answers and teacher may arrange discussion based on students’ viewpoints and responses.
Items of
Comparison
Opinions on these Treaties
Conservative
Officials
Open-minded
Officials
Intellectuals
Peasants
8
Responses to make
II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
Worksheet 4 (Essay-type Question)
Modernisation and transformation of China -- Causes of Modernisation
(Page 1)
Question for Discussion:
“Is Western encroachment the sole factor leading to China’s modernisation?”
During the discussion, please list the arguments of both sides in the table below, and write an
essay with relevant arguments. (Free answers)
Arguments supporting this saying
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Arguments opposing this saying
__________________________________
1.
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
2.
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
3.
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
4.
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
5.
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
Worksheet 4 (Essay-type Question)
Modernisation and transformation of China -- Causes of Modernisation
(Page 2)
Students may write the essay with reference to the outline below. (Free answers)
Introduction:
Definition of
modernisation,
and outline of
significance of
Western
encroachment
Main Body:
Arguments
supporting this
saying
Arguments opposing
this saying
Elaborate your
standpoint
Eastward expansion was/was not the only factor leading to China’s
modernization , it was because…
Conclusion:
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
Worksheet 5
Modernisation and transformation of China –
Causes of Modernisation (Conditions for Modernisation)
The late Qing government made a number of modernisation attempts in the early years of the 20th
century in order to save the declining national strength. The Nanjing Government also
implemented a series of modernisation measures after 1928. What do you think are the
conditions for a country to become a modernised country? Please write your views in the
appropriate spaces below.
Economic and Social
Political
政治方面
The feature of modern politics is the process of
With
mechanization,
mass
production
of
handicrafts and agricultural products were made
possible, and through markets, exchanges and
distribution took place. Increase of learning
opportunities; weakening of impact of religious
faith and traditional customs; changes in human
relationships and increase in social mobility.
mass participation in politics, regardless of
revolution, Fascist, Communist regime or
democratic constitutional rule.
Other aspects
Military
Trend of concentration of population has become a feature
The great progress in science and technology helped people
of modern society, affecting politics, economy, culture as
control the nature and social life.
well as living and housing style etc.
It meant the weakening of religious power and the growth
of rational culture.
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
Background Information Card 1
Modernisation and transformation of China –
Causes of Modernisation
Below are the main points of the Treaty of Nanjing signed between
China and Britain in the 1840s.
1. China opens Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen,
Ningbo and Shanghai as trading ports, and
allows the British to trade in, reside in, and
send embassy to the ports.
2. China cedes Hong Kong Island to Britain
perpetually.
3. China pays Britain 21 million taels as
reparations for British military expenses, debts
owing British merchants, and opium
confiscated.
4. Import and export taxes for British goods are to
be agreed upon between the Chinese and the
British governments and will be paid by British
merchants. Once the import tax is paid, no
more tax will be levied on British the goods
when transported to the inland.
5. Exchanges of official documents thereafter will
be on equal terms.
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
Background Information Card 2
Modernisation and transformation of China –
Causes of Modernisation
Below are the main points of the Sino-French Treaty of Tianjin signed
between China and France in the 1880s.
1. China recognizes all treaties signed between
France and Annam. From then onwards,
Annam became a French colony. In other
words, Vietnam became a protectorate of
France.
2. French troops withdraw from Taiwan and the
Pescadores. China does not have to pay
indemnities. France also promises not to
infringe China’s borders. China loses another
vassal country.
3. China also allows France to enjoy the
most-favoured
nation
treatment
in
Southwestern China.
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
Background Information Card 3
Modernisation and transformation of China--Causes of Modernisation
Below are the main points of the Open Door Policy proclaimed by the
USA in the 1890s.
1. All countries, with their sphere of influence or
concessions and other interests in China, allows
other countries to conduct commerce and
investment matters in their sphere of influence,
without intervening each other.
2. All countries enjoy equal commercial opportunities in China, and respect China’s sovereignty
independence and territorial integrity.
3. A country, with its ports and railways within its
sphere of influence, must not charge ships and
goods of other countries higher port-entry fees and
freights than it charges its own ships and goods.
4. Custom tariffs at ports in the sphere of influence of
various countries will be collected by the Chinese
government in accordance with the current tariff
rate, regardless of the country origin of the goods,
and Chinese officials are permitted to collect the
tariffs.
5. All countries should charge merchants of their
own country and of other countries the same
port-entry fees and rail freights for goods in their
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
sphere of influence.
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II. Modernisation and transformation of China
A.2. Causes of modernisation
Background Information Card 4
Modernisation and transformation of China--Causes of Modernisation
Below are the main points of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Ili signed
between China and Russia in the 1870s.
1. Russia keeps 70% of China’s land south of
Ili, which will be ceded to Russia, and only
the remaining land will be returned to
China;
2. China has to pay Russia 5 million Rubles;
3. Russia has the right to set up consulates in
seven places;
4. Russian ships can navigate along the
Songhua River.
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