#107 The Empress Dowager and the Vicissitudes of Moderate Reform

Introduction:

You have been commissioned to produce an online exhibit about the Empress Dowager’s emphasis on moderate reform in the years between 1861-1898 (that is, between the beginning of the Tongzhi emperor’s reign and the quashing of the Hundred Days’ Reforms). As a renowned team of historians of modern China, you have been given a free hand to shape the narrative and contents of your exhibit.

Roles:

• Discussion facilitator. You will guide the discussion stage of the investigation by facilitating discussion on the reading and will then serve as a supporting role to help your teammates as needed.
• Project coordinator. Once the discussion is complete, you will guide the execution stage. You will ensure that the tasks are organized and executed, float to support the work of your teammates as needed, and should be the one to keep the project proceeding on time.
• Researcher. Both in discussion and execution stages, you will be the main person tasked with looking up information that is missing from the text. While Wikipedia may be a great place to start, you may find it useful to grab a copy of Jonathan Spence, The Search for Modern China (New York: W.W. Norton, 1990) so you can consult the index and utilize the library’s online reference tools. You may need additional support for this role and should make your needs clear to the Project Coordinator.
• Writer. Your task will be to write a one-paragraph (that is, a fully developed 8-10 sentence academic paragraph) introduction to the exhibit and then shorter captions for the exhibit items. You may need additional support for this role and should make your needs clear to the Project Coordinator.
• Presenter. You will be responsible for introducing your project to the public (i.e. Mr. Hall). Please support your teammates as needed on additional tasks.

Discussion stage:

• What story do you want to convey about Empress Dowager Cixi’s life in this exhibition? How might this view complement or challenge the pre-existing perceptions of your audience (either in China or in the United States)?
• What were some of the major “Self-Strengthening” efforts undertaken after the Second Opium War (1856-60) and the Taiping Rebellion (1850-64)? What was new about these efforts? In what ways did they succeed and fail?
• How can you pull together answers to the first and second questions?
• What additional context will your viewers need to make sense of your story? Maps? Timelines? Connections? Comparisons?

Execution stage:

• Create a simple one-page display space on either Google Docs or Google Sites (whichever you prefer).
• Address each of the following:
  • What will you title your exhibition? (Your title should speak to your theme and narrative).
  • Provide an 8-1o sentence paragraph introducing your exhibit to your visitors.
  • Provide 5-6 deliberately-selected visual items paired with captions to guide your visitors.
• In the last 15 minutes of class, provide a guided tour and be prepared to answer questions about the exhibition.
• Remember:
  • Your exhibit should largely be able to speak for itself.
  • Be sure to provoke as well as instruct your audience.
  • Cite, cite, cite!!