Category: Empress Dowager Cixi

#201 Liang Qichao: From Subject to Citizen

1/25/2018

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Left: Empress Dowager Cixi and wives from the foreign legation. Right: Photograph of Liang Qichao.

Front matter:

Unit I feedback (Google Form)
Debrief on unit I assessment
Decision on documentary

Unit introduction:

From the last decade of the Qing to the first turbulent decade of the Republic, we see in this period a consensus on the need for fundamental restructuring of state and society, yet a fraught debate over what that change should look like and how it should come about.
We will continue to examine a number of different ways that history is made public, though one area of particular interest in this unit will be literature.

Discussion:
Today, I would like to focus mainly on discussion: first to close out Qing reform and second to talk through some of the implications of Liang Qichao’s ideas.

First, let’s identify and unpack some of the “New Policies” (xinzheng 新政) on page 85. Which stand out to you as especially important? How would you characterize the overall change in the role of the state as a result of these reforms? How would you characterize the significance of those reforms?
Yan Fu’s imported “social darwinism” keeps popping up. By the last decade of the dynasty, the Empress Dowager seems to implicitly accept this idea; Liang Qichao speaks of China as the “Sick Man of Asia” and fears, as we have seen, that China may become a “lost country” like Poland. What might be the advantages and disadvantages of driving reform on these terms? And how might this concept further complicate China’s already contradictory relationship with Japan?
What does Liang Qichao mean when he notes China’s lack of “national consciousness” (guojia sixiang 国家思想) and envisions a future nation of “citizens” (guomin 国民) on 101? How are those concepts different from what already existed in China up to this point? Would a nation of citizens be more likely to achieve “wealth and power”? Why or why not?
What does Liang Qichao mean by “destructivism” (pohuai zhuyi 破坏注意) on page 104? Why might this be a helpful way to engage in substantial reform? What dangers might this approach pose?
Reflect on Liang’s political vision. How does it evolve? How does the world around him evolve?

Homework: Assignment #202

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#109 Upheaval from Below: The Boxer Uprising

1/19/2018

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Check for Understanding #109 (Google Form)

Slides: The Boxer Uprising (Google Slides)

Discussion on Wasserstrom:

Before reading the Wasserstrom, what was your own impression of the Boxers?
What were some of the ways that the Boxers have been remembered? How are those views shaped by contemporary circumstances of the viewers?
What balance do you think historians who address the public should strike in framing the past? To what exent should the politics of the present inform views of the past?

Feedback on unit I (Google Form)

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#107 The Empress Dowager and the Vicissitudes of Moderate Reform

1/15/2018

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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!!

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#201 Liang Qichao: From Subject to Citizen

#109 Upheaval from Below: The Boxer Uprising

#107 The Empress Dowager and the Vicissitudes of Moderate Reform

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