Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Imperialism: Asia: Review

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The objectives stage is crucial in guiding the lesson's focus, ensuring both the teacher and students are aligned with the learning goals. By setting clear objectives, students can better organize their prior knowledge and concentrate on the key aspects of imperialism in Asia that will be covered and applied during class activities. This section directs students' attention to the most relevant facets of the topic, promoting discussion and the practical application of concepts.

Objective Utama:

1. Describe how imperialism impacted Asia, examining the reshaping of territories and their political and social effects.

2. Explore the ethical and religious dimensions arising from imperialism in Asia, discussing how these issues influenced relationships between European powers and local communities.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Develop critical analysis and reasoning skills by comparing various cases of imperialism in Asia.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction stage aims to engage students with the topic through problem situations that provoke critical reflection and the application of prior knowledge. Moreover, it contextualizes the relevance of studying imperialism in Asia, emphasizing the historical and current significance of the topic. This interactive and contextualized opening sets the stage for a deeper exploration of imperialism's effects in the region.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine you are a local leader in 19th century India, facing the imposition of British laws and the loss of autonomy. How could you effectively resist British imperialism without sparking a full-scale revolt?

2. Think about the opium trade between China and Great Britain. How did this practice fuel the expansion of British imperialism in Asia, and what were the social and economic consequences for China?

Contextualization

Imperialism in Asia, especially British colonization in India and the Opium Wars in China, is not just a part of our history but has significant implications for today's geopolitics and international relations. For example, the borders established during colonial times continue to create territorial and ethnic disputes in modern Asia. Furthermore, examining these historical events allows for a richer understanding of how European powers influenced not just the politics and economy, but also the cultures and identities of Asian societies.

Development

Duration: (75 - 80 minutes)

The development stage enables students to apply and deepen their existing knowledge about imperialism in Asia through practical and interactive activities. By engaging in group tasks, students not only reinforce their learning but also cultivate collaboration, critical thinking, and argumentation skills. The activities encourage students to immerse themselves in scenarios reflecting various aspects of imperialism, facilitating a richer and contextualized understanding of the subject.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Opium Circle: A Negotiation Game and Consequences

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand negotiation dynamics and imperialism's impacts through a role-playing game.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups of up to 5, each representing an imperial power (Great Britain, France, Netherlands, Portugal, and China). Each group will receive cards representing various resources (like opium, silk, tea) and event cards (such as the First and Second Opium Wars, Treaty of Nanjing). The goal is to negotiate with other powers to maximize profit while navigating events that could harm their nation. The activity concludes with a discussion on how imperialism influenced each represented country.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into five groups, each representing one of the powers.

• Distribute resource and event cards to each group.

• Allow 10 minutes for groups to negotiate with each other.

• Apply events randomly and ask groups to decide on their response.

• Conduct a class discussion on the strategies employed and the outcomes of the events.

Activity 2 - Imperialist World Map: Redraw Asia

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Analyze and apply knowledge of imperialism in Asia through territorial reconfiguration.

- Description: Students, working in groups of up to 5, will receive a blank map of 19th-century Asia and markers to redraw political boundaries based on European imperial actions. They must justify their choices based on resources, political strategies, and local resistances. At the end, each group will present their new map and discuss the implications of their decisions.

- Instructions:

• Provide each group with a blank map of Asia and markers.

• Give a list of historical actions associated with each power.

• Groups must redraw the borders, marking their areas of influence.

• Ask them to justify their decisions based on the provided information and past research.

• Each group presents their maps and discusses the consequences of their newly drawn borders.

Activity 3 - The Colonialism Court: Trial and Debate

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance reasoning skills and critical understanding of imperialism in Asia.

- Description: In this activity, students will be assigned roles in a mock trial examining the impacts of imperialism in Asia. Some groups will represent the prosecution, accusing certain powers of crimes against humanity, while others will defend their actions. Each group must prepare arguments and evidence for the trial, followed by a class debate.

- Instructions:

• Assign roles (prosecution, defense, judges) to each group.

• Allow time for each group to prepare their arguments and gather evidence.

• Conduct the trial, with each side presenting their case.

• Facilitate a debate post-trial, allowing other students to participate.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This stage aims to consolidate learning, allowing students to express the knowledge gained through hands-on activities and explore the implications of imperialism in Asia. Group discussions foster communication and reasoning skills while providing a broader perspective on the ethical and practical issues surrounding the topic. This collective and critical reflection is essential for students to apply their historical insights to contemporary contexts and grasp the complexities of international relations.

Group Discussion

To kick off the discussion, the teacher should prompt each group to share their findings and strategies from the activities. It's vital for the teacher to encourage students to contemplate how imperialism in Asia shapes not only historical dynamics but also the present and future of international relations. Guiding questions could include: 'What were the major challenges your group faced during negotiations, and how do these mirror the real challenges of the historical period?' or 'How might the borders you created influence current relations between these countries?'

Key Questions

1. What were the primary strategies employed by European powers to extend their control in Asia, and how were these justified ethically at the time?

2. In what ways do the boundaries created during imperialism still impact international relations and conflicts in contemporary Asia?

3. How can local resistance be viewed as a means of preserving cultural identity and autonomy?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the conclusion stage is to ensure that students have a consolidated understanding of the topics addressed during the lesson, linking theoretical insights with practical applications, and discussing the importance of studying imperialism in Asia for deciphering contemporary issues. This phase aims to reinforce learning and provide students with clarity on how historical events affect today's and tomorrow's international relations.

Summary

To wrap up the lesson, the teacher should summarize the key points discussed, including territorial reconfiguration, the political and social impacts of imperialism in Asia, and the ethical and religious issues involved. This recap will help solidify the knowledge acquired and ensure that students have a clear understanding of the topics covered.

Theory Connection

Throughout the lesson, students had the chance to relate the theory of imperialism in Asia to practical scenarios, such as the negotiation game 'Opium Circle' and the trial simulation 'Colonialism Court.' These activities created a direct connection between the studied theory and its practical and ethical implications, reinforcing learning through practical exercises and debate.

Closing

Finally, the teacher should discuss the ongoing importance of studying imperialism in Asia, emphasizing how historical events continue to shape international relations and current political dynamics. The discussion should touch on examples of how colonial borders and dynamics still influence identities and tensions in modern Asia, highlighting the necessity of understanding our past to interpret the current landscape and foresee future outcomes.