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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes : Part 1 (1900-1945)
I. Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
A. Political and institutional changes :
Part 1:
1900-1945
Enquiry questions:
1.
What were the structures of the Hong Kong government and its features in
the early 20th century?
2.
What were the features of Japanese rule during the Japanese Occupation?
What challenges did the Japanese rule bring to the British rule of Hong
Kong?
No. of periods required:
5 (some double periods preferred)
Each period lasts for 40 minutes.
1. Teaching background
a.
b.
c.
d.
The topic is to be introduced to S4 students.
Students should have developed some basic skills of chronological thinking,
historical comprehension, empathy, enquiry, critical thinking and
communication at junior secondary level.
Students should have acquired some basic knowledge regarding the political
and administrative changes in Hong Kong through S1–3 History curriculum
or other related PSHE curricula such as “Integrated Humanities”, “Economic
and Public Affairs” and “History and Culture”.
While making use of the materials presented in the textbooks, students will
be asked to engage in various learning activities like group discussion,
presentation and research.
2. Learning objectives
Students are expected to:
a. acquire knowledge and develop understanding of the political and
institutional conditions of Hong Kong in the first half of the 20th century;
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes : Part 1 (1900-1945)
b.
c.
d.
understand basic historical concepts, such as cause and effect, change and
continuity, and similarities and differences;
search for, select and synthesis information through various means, and
consider ways of arriving at conclusions;
understand the challenges that the government faced in the past.
3. Strategies
Enquiry question 1:
What were the structure of the Hong Kong government and its features in
the early 20th century? (3 periods)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Students are asked to share in groups what they have learnt at junior forms
regarding the political development of Hong Kong in the 20th century and
record their discussion in the format of a mind map. (Appendix 1.1) (This
activity enables the teacher to learn about students’ prior knowledge.)
Teacher summarizes the ideas, and explains the structures of the Hong
Kong government in the early 20th century.
Students study the text on the features of the Hong Kong government in the
early 20th century.
Teacher distributes activity cards and asks students to distinguish structure
and features. (Appendix 1.2)
Students complete source study – How powerful was the Governor of Hong
Kong? (Appendix 1.3)
Enquiry question 2:
What were the features of Japanese rule during the Japanese Occupation?
What challenges did the Japanese rule bring to the British rule of Hong
Kong? (2 periods)
a.
b.
c.
Students are invited to share what they have learnt about the Japanese
Occupation of Hong Kong. (The topic is covered in S3 History curriculum, or
some other PSHE curricula.)
Teacher explains the political changes brought by Japanese Occupation of
Hong Kong.
Teacher shows movie clips about Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation.
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes : Part 1 (1900-1945)
d.
e.
f.
g.
Students complete worksheet on Japanese rule of Hong Kong. (Appendix
1.4)
Students discuss in groups the challenges the Japanese Occupation posed
on the British administration of Hong Kong.
Teacher consolidates and concludes the issue.
To prepare for the next issue, students are divided into groups and explore
the assigned issues at home, each focusing on one time slot of the
worksheet on the political changes after 1945. (Appendix 1.5)
4. Reflection
a.
b.
Learning activities should be conducted with the prior knowledge and
experience of students in mind. Teachers need to find out what students
know about the political and institutional changes in 20th-century Hong
Kong.
Whenever appropriate, peer assessment can be arranged, each group
comments on the other groups’ findings. The teacher then gives feedback by
pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each group’s presentation.
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes : Part 1 (1900-1945)
Appendix 1.1
Brainstorming – Political development of Hong Kong in the 20th
century
(To initiate student enquiry, teachers can connect students’ prior knowledge and experience
to the issue to be explored. Teachers can find out how much students have understood from
the topic by asking them to draw mind maps to represent their knowledge on the topic.)
How much do you know about the political development of Hong Kong in the 20 th century?
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes : Part 1 (1900-1945)
Appendix 1.2
Activity cards
In this game there are twelve cards. Students should tell which cards show the structure (A)
of British administration in Hong Kong in the 20th century, and which cards show the
features (B) of the administration.
The Governor (A)
British monopoly of
power (B)
Executive-oriented
administration (B)
The Executive Council (A)
District administration (A)
Lack of elective elements
(B)
Governor as the ‘core’ of
power (B)
Limited participation of
the Chinese (B)
The Legislative Council (A)
Crown-appointed
governor (B)
Legal system & law
enforcement (A)
Central government
administration (A)
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes : Part 1 (1900-1945)
Appendix 1.3
Source study
How powerful was the Governor of Hong Kong?
Source A
The following paragraph is cited from the website of the Legislative Council, HKSAR.
From 26 January 1841 to 30 June 1997, Hong Kong was a British “colony” and its first
constitution, in the form of Queen Victoria's Letters Patent entitled the “Charter of the
Colony of Hong Kong” and proclaimed at the Government House on 26 June 1843,
authorized the establishment of the Legislative Council and empowered “the Governor
for the time being...with the advice of the said Legislative Council...to make and enact all
such Laws and Ordinances as may from time to time be required for the peace, order and
good government...of Hong Kong”. The Letters Patent of 1917, which replaced the 1843
Charter, added the significant words “and consent” after the words “with the advice”.
Source: http://www.legco.gov.hk/general/english/intro/hist_lc.htm
(Website of Legislative Council)
Source B
The following description is about the governor of Hong Kong.
The governor's powers and duties were defined in the Letters Patent and the Royal
Instructions. The governor who was appointed by the Crown of England held the executive
power in Hong Kong when it was under British rule, with an exception of a brief period of
experiment after World War II.
According to Letter Patent, the governor had the veto power over all the bills. He
appointed all the members of the Legislative Council and the Executive Council, judges and
all Justices of the Peace. Until 1985, the governor appointed all the members of the two
Councils, and dictated the agenda and decision-making of the meetings. In 1985, electoral
system was first introduced, and to the Legislative Council.
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes : Part 1 (1900-1945)
Discussion
a.



With reference to Sources A and B, examine the relationship between the
Governor and the Executive and Legislative Councils.
The Governor controlled the Executive and Legislative Councils. (Source A)
The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council, made and
enacted all laws and ordinances of Hong Kong. (Source A)
Before 1985, all members of the Executive and Legislative Councils were
appointed by the Governor. (Source B)
b.

As reflected in Sources A and B, do you think that the Governor was very powerful?
The Governor was powerful.

The Letters Patent empowered the Governor. With the advice of the Legislative
Council, he made and enacted all laws and ordinances of Hong Kong. (Source A)
The Governor appointed most members of the Executive and Legislative Councils.

c.



(Source B)
What do you think was the limitation to the power of the Governor?
The Governor was not all powerful.
The consent of the Legislative Council must be sought to make and enact laws
and ordinances. (Source A)
The Governor was appointed by the British monarch. (Source B)
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes : Part 1 (1900-1945)
Appendix 1.4
Source study
Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation
Watch the movie clips and answer the following questions:
Hong Kong History Decode (ATV Program) (Hong Kong Version) , Episode 22, Part 2
Hong Kong History Decode (ATV Program) (Hong Kong Version), Episode 23, Part 1
1. With reference to the video clips, discuss the conditions of Hong Kong
under the Japanese rule during the period 1941-1945.
Food shortage and rationing
Control over mass media and entertainment
Replacing the Hong Kong Dollar with the Japanese Military Yen
Poor livelihood
Censorship and political control
2. If you were a Hong Kong citizen at that time, would you welcome the
restoration of British rule after WWII? Why?
(The answer is open.)
3. If you were governor of Hong Kong, how would you gain the support of
Hong Kong people in face of the trend of decolonization and the failure to
defend Hong Kong against the Japanese?
(The answer is open.)
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes : Part 1 (1900-1945)
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes : Part 1 (1900-1945)
Appendix 1.5
Major administrative changes from 1945 to 1997
From 1945 to mid-1960s
Stage
Background / events / trends



Trend of decolonization
Japanese occupation



Social discontent
Riots in the 1960s
From mid-1960s to 1970s




From 1980s to mid-1990s



Economic and political
development
The 1997 issue



10
Main trends of political
development
Introduction of election to
district administration
Expansion of the civil service
Beginning of localization of
the civil service
Improving communication
with the public through
advisory bodies
Improvement in public
services (e.g. ICAC, social
welfare)
Increasing representation in
district administration
Development of a
representative government
Expansion of public service
and localization of the civil
service
Reforms in district
administration
Setting up of the HKSAR, 1997
I.
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I.
Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes: Part 2 (1945-1997)
Modernisation and transformation of Hong Kong
A. Political and institutional changes
Part 2:
1945-1997
Enquiry questions:
1.
What were Hong Kong’s major political and institutional changes in the period
1945 to 1997? Why did these changes happen?
2.
Compare the administration of Hong Kong today with the British administration
in the early 20th century.
No. of periods required:
6 (some double periods preferred)
Each period lasts for 40 minutes.
1. Background
a.
The topic is to be introduced to S4 students.
b.
Students should have developed some basic skills of chronological thinking,
historical comprehension, empathy, enquiry, critical thinking and
communication at junior secondary level.
Students should have acquired some basic knowledge regarding political
and administrative changes in Hong Kong through S1–3 History curriculum
or other related PSHE curricula such as “Integrated Humanities”,
“Economic and Public Affairs” and “History and Culture”.
Students should have prior knowledge of the structures of the government
of Hong Kong and its features in the early 20th century.
While making use of the materials presented in the textbooks, students will
c.
d.
e.
be asked to engage in various learning activities like group discussion,
presentation and research.
2. Teaching objectives
Students are expected to acquire knowledge and develop understanding of:
a. the political and institutional changes of Hong Kong in the 20th century;
b. basic historical concepts, such as cause and effect, change and continuity,
and similarities and differences;
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes: Part 2 (1945-1997)
c.
d.
e.
the inter-relations of major events that shaped the main trends of political
development in Hong Kong;
search for, select and synthesis information through various means, and
consider ways of arriving at conclusions;
understand the challenges that the government faced in the past.
3. Strategies
Enquiry question 1:
What were the major political and institutional changes that occurred in
Hong Kong from 1945 to 1997? And why did these changes happen? (5
periods)
a.
Teacher explains briefly the different stages of political development after
1945.
b.
Students are directed to explore the response of the Hong Kong government
to the challenges of the Japanese occupation, based on the role-play card
c.
distributed. (Appendix 2.1)
Teacher explains why political changes took place after 1945.
d.
Students present the findings on the major events and political development
e.
f.
after 1945 stage by stage. (Appendix 2.2)
Teacher points out the inter-relations between various trends/events and
concludes the features stage by stage. (Teacher can use teaching aids like
video clips, sources, text and photos)
Students complete the whole table to illustrate the political and institutional
changes, and the background leading to such changes. (Appendix 2.2)
Enquiry question 2:
To what extent did Hong Kong experience great political and institutional
changes in the 20th century? (1 period)
a.
b.
c.
Students compare the structure and the features of British rule in Hong Kong
in the early 20th century with the present-day situation, and complete a
comparison table. (Appendix 2.3)
Students are directed to explore concepts of change and continuity based on
the comparison table.
An open forum on whether Hong Kong experienced fundamental changes
politically in the 20th century can be conducted.
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes: Part 2 (1945-1997)
Extended assignment
Students complete the extended writing at home – “What were the features of
British rule in Hong Kong in the early 20th century? To what extent did these
features persist in the 1990s?” (Students may focus the discussion on the British
rule.) (Appendix 2.4)
4.
Reflection
a.
b.
c.
Learning activities should be conducted with the prior knowledge and
experience of students in mind. Teachers need to find out what students
know about the political and institutional changes in 20th-century Hong
Kong.
Students should be directed to delineate the major trends and patterns of
development in the period under study and to make links between major
events through employing such historical concepts as cause and effect,
change and continuity, and similarities and differences.
Whenever appropriate, peer assessment can be arranged and each group
comments on the other groups’ findings. The teacher then gives feedback by
pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each group’s presentation.
Appendix 2.1
Case study – What should be done by the government after the Japanese
Occupation?
Role-play 1
Situation:
After the Second World War, the powers in Europe were weakened and
they found it difficult to control their colonies in Asia and Africa.
Meanwhile, nationalism was growing among the people in the colonies.
Independent movements occurred throughout the British Empire. The
trend of decolonization was widespread in Asia and Africa.
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes: Part 2 (1945-1997)
Since the British government had failed to defend Hong Kong against
the Japanese, it was necessary to introduce some administrative
changes after the war so as to regain its reputation.
Some people proposed a political reform with a view to winning the
support of the Hong Kong people for the government.
Task 1:
Suppose you are Governor of Hong Kong after the end of the Japanese
Occupation in 1945, present a speech to the British government to
report on the situation and explain your suggestions.
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes: Part 2 (1945-1997)
Role-play (2)
Situation:
In August 1946, Governor Mark Young proposed a political reform with
a view to winning the support of the Hong Kong people for the
government. It was the Young Plan.
Governor Young proposed setting up a Municipal Council to replace the
Urban Council for administering district affairs. The new council would
consist of 10 appointed members and 20 elected members, with an
equal number of Chinese and non-Chinese in each category. The
number of unofficial members in the Legislative Council would be
increased.
Task 2:
If you were a local Chinese / a British official / an official member of the
Legislative Council, would you support the proposal of Governor Young?
Role
Consideration
Decision (Why?)
A local

not interested in politics
(The answer is open.)
Chinese

livelihood was the main
concern
A British
official

worried that the Cold War
would affect the stability of
Hong Kong
(The answer is open.)
A Legco

controlled the Legco
(The answer is open.)
official
member

not sure whether Hong
Kong was ready for
democratization
Although the Young Plan was cancelled, some administrative changes took place in the first 2
decades after the Second World War.
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes: Part 2 (1945-1997)
Appendix 2.2
Major administrative changes from 1945 to 1997
Although the Young Plan was cancelled, some administrative changes took place in the first 2
decades after the Second World War.
Background / events / trends

Main trends of political
development

(Refer to Appendix 1.5)
From 1980s to mid-1990s
From mid-1960s to 1970s
From 1945 to mid-1960s
Stage
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(Refer to Appendix 1.5)
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes: Part 2 (1945-1997)
Activity 2.3
Compare the British administration in first half of the 20th century with the
HKSAR administration today.
Key concepts: past, present, similarity, difference
British administration in the first HKSAR administration today
half of the 20th century (past)
(present)
Similarity or difference
(e.g. The Governor was the head (The Chief Executive is the
(Difference)
of government in Hong Kong.)
head of government in Hong
Kong.)
(e.g. The Legislative Council made (The
Legislative Council is the (Similarity)
(行政長官是香港政府的首
laws in Hong Kong.)
law-making
body in Hong
長。)
Kong.)
(例：立法局是香港立法的團
體。)
What can you conclude from the above findings?
(The answer is open.)
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes: Part 2 (1945-1997)
Appendix 2.4
Extended assignment
What were the features of British rule in Hong Kong in the early 20th century? To what
extent did the features persist in the 1990s?
(You may use the following table to prepare a draft of your answer.)
What were the features of British rule in
Hong Kong in the early 20th century?
To what extent did the features persist in
the 1990s?
Feature 1 –
This feature (persist / did not persist) …
(e.g. The Crown-appointed governor as the (This feature persisted. The Hong Kong
‘core’ of power)
governor was still appointed by the Crown.
He was in firm control of all the powers.)
Feature 2 –
(e.g. Limited participation of the Chinese)
This feature (persist / did not persist) …
(This feature did not persist. In 1990s, the
government accelerated the process of
localization in the civil service. Then more
Chinese became members of the Executive
and Legislative Councils.)
Feature 3 –
This feature (persist / did not persist) …
Feature 4 –
This feature (persist / did not persist) …
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Modernisation and Transformation of Hong Kong
Political and institutional changes: Part 2 (1945-1997)
Conclusion
To a large/small extent, …
(The answer is open.)
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