AP8 Q2W8D1: Awakening Asian Nationalism - China and India Under Imperialism

Day 1: Awakening Asian Nationalism — China and India Under Imperialism

Today you will discover how imperial powers reshaped China and India, and how these pressures awakened movements for change. We will explore the impact of foreign trade, social hierarchies, and unequal treaties, and consider how people began to imagine sovereignty and dignity in new ways. You will connect terms like imperialism, opium wars, colony, and resistance to real events. By the end, you will identify how outside control both weakened and inspired nations to prepare for struggles of independence.

• Subject: Social Studies (Araling Panlipunan 8)
• Grade: 8
• Day: 1 of 4

By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

1. Describe how imperialism affected China and India in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
2. Explain how unequal systems, wars, and colonial practices weakened sovereignty and daily life.
3. Identify early responses that laid foundations for Asian nationalism.

• Imperialism — Domination of a weaker region by a stronger foreign power.
• Unequal Treaty — Agreement forced by powerful nations granting them privileges at another’s expense.
• Opium War — Conflict between Britain and China over trade and sovereignty.
• Colony — Territory governed by or dependent on a foreign nation.
• Resistance — Organized effort to oppose control or injustice.

Recall what you already know about colonialism and revolutions.

1. Name one reason European nations sought colonies in Asia.
Show Answer
To gain access to trade routes, raw materials, and new markets.
2. What impact can foreign domination have on local culture?
Show Answer
It can weaken traditions, restrict freedoms, and impose new systems of law or education.
3. Give one way people resist unjust rule.
Show Answer
Through protests, writing, revolts, or reform movements.

How to use this section: Read through 5 checkpoints. Each gives a mini-goal, guided discussion, real-life tie-in, summary, and guiding questions.

Checkpoint 1 — Why Imperialism Reached Asia

Mini-goal: Identify reasons European powers targeted China and India.

Guided discussion: By the 1800s, Europe industrialized and sought new markets and raw materials. Asia offered tea, spices, textiles, and vast populations. Weak dynasties and internal divisions made regions vulnerable. Britain forced opium trade in China and tightened its grip on India after weakening the Mughal Empire. Imperialism was not just about armies but about economics, politics, and cultural influence. This reshaped Asia’s future.

Real-life tie-in: Imagine a powerful store that forces your group to buy only from them, setting unfair prices. You would feel exploited and powerless.

Mini-summary: Imperialism in Asia was driven by Europe’s hunger for trade and power, taking advantage of weakened states.

1. Why did Europe target Asia?
Show Answer
For raw materials, trade routes, and markets.
2. Which empire declined in India, creating opportunity?
Show Answer
The Mughal Empire.
3. Why was opium central in China?
Show Answer
Britain used opium trade to balance silver outflow, leading to wars.

Checkpoint 2 — China’s Unequal Treaties

Mini-goal: Explain how China lost control through unequal treaties.

Guided discussion: Defeat in the Opium Wars forced China to sign treaties like Nanking (1842), ceding Hong Kong, opening ports, and granting extraterritorial rights. Instead of strengthening, the Qing weakened as foreign spheres of influence spread. Reforms were attempted but slow. Intellectuals debated: Should China modernize like Japan, or guard tradition? Nationalism grew as people realized sovereignty was slipping away.

Real-life tie-in: If classmates force you to share your project and take credit, your voice and ownership weaken—similar to how China lost control.

Mini-summary: China’s sovereignty eroded under unequal treaties, fueling debates about reform and nationalism.

1. What territory did China lose to Britain?
Show Answer
Hong Kong.
2. What rights did foreigners gain?
Show Answer
Extraterritoriality, trade privileges, and port access.
3. How did these treaties spark nationalism?
Show Answer
They exposed China’s weakness and drove calls for reform and unity.

Checkpoint 3 — India under British Rule

Mini-goal: Describe how Britain controlled India and its effects.

Guided discussion: India came under British East India Company rule, later crown rule after 1857. Taxes, land systems, and export economies benefited Britain while impoverishing locals. Railways and English schools modernized but mainly served colonial needs. Traditional industries like weaving collapsed. Famines worsened under cash-crop policies. Still, exposure to liberal ideas and education planted seeds of nationalism. Reformers asked: Should India adopt Western systems or revive its own heritage?

Real-life tie-in: If a club president uses group funds for outsiders while your members go hungry, resentment grows and demands for change rise.

Mini-summary: British rule drained India’s resources but also unintentionally sparked movements for reform and nationalism.

1. Which uprising shook British India in 1857?
Show Answer
The Sepoy Rebellion (Indian Mutiny).
2. Why did famines worsen?
Show Answer
Cash-crop focus reduced food supplies and colonial mismanagement.
3. How did education feed nationalism?
Show Answer
It exposed Indians to liberal and nationalist ideas.

Checkpoint 4 — Seeds of Nationalism

Mini-goal: Recognize early forms of resistance and reform.

Guided discussion: In China, reformers like Kang Youwei pushed modernization, while revolutionaries like Sun Yat Sen dreamed of a republic. In India, reformers like Dadabhai Naoroji and early Congress leaders demanded greater participation. Writers and newspapers spread pride in culture and calls for justice. Though small at first, these movements built networks, slogans, and leaders who would later rally millions.

Real-life tie-in: A small study group today can become a school-wide campaign tomorrow. Early steps matter.

Mini-summary: Reformers and early groups in Asia planted seeds of nationalism later harvested by mass movements.

1. Who is one early reformer in China?
Show Answer
Kang Youwei or Liang Qichao.
2. Which group in India began political petitions?
Show Answer
Indian National Congress.
3. Why are small reforms important?
Show Answer
They build networks and awareness leading to larger change.

Checkpoint 5 — Common Patterns in Asia

Mini-goal: Compare how imperialism shaped China and India.

Guided discussion: Both China and India lost economic control, faced cultural imposition, and experienced famine or humiliation. Both also developed reformers and intellectuals who inspired nationalism. But their contexts differed: China remained formally sovereign but divided by treaties, while India became a direct colony. These differences shaped strategies but the core lesson was shared: imperialism weakened nations but also awakened the will to resist.

Real-life tie-in: Two friends may face different unfair rules at school, but both realize they must act to protect their dignity.

Mini-summary: Though different in form, imperialism in China and India produced common sparks for nationalism.

1. What was China’s political status under imperialism?
Show Answer
Still formally independent but dominated by foreign powers through treaties.
2. What was India’s political status?
Show Answer
Direct colony under British crown.
3. What shared result arose?
Show Answer
Growth of nationalist ideas and resistance movements.

1. Timeline task: Arrange these events in order — Opium War, Sepoy Rebellion, Treaty of Nanking.
   Show Answer

   Opium War (1839–42), Treaty of Nanking (1842), Sepoy Rebellion (1857).
2. Define “imperialism” in your own words.
   Show Answer

   Control of another land’s politics, economy, or society by a stronger power.
3. Map task: Identify one port opened in China by unequal treaties.
   Show Answer

   Shanghai, Canton, or Xiamen.
4. Name one benefit and one harm of colonial railways in India.
   Show Answer

   Benefit: transport and communication. Harm: built mainly for resource extraction.
5. Suggest one principle for resisting injustice today based on these lessons.
   Show Answer

   Organize collectively, spread awareness, and use fair but firm strategies.

1. Define “unequal treaty.”
Show Answer
A treaty imposed by a stronger power granting privileges at another’s expense.
2. State one effect of the Opium War on China.
Show Answer
Loss of Hong Kong, forced trade concessions, weakened Qing authority.
3. What caused the Sepoy Rebellion?
Show Answer
Religious/cultural grievances, harsh treatment, cartridge controversy, resentment of British rule.
4. Give one positive and one negative of British education in India.
Show Answer
Positive: spread of new ideas. Negative: used mainly to serve colonial administration.
5. Name one reformer in China advocating modernization.
Show Answer
Kang Youwei or Liang Qichao.
6. List two raw materials Europeans wanted from Asia.
Show Answer
Tea, spices, cotton, opium, silk.
7. What was India’s status after 1857?
Show Answer
Colony under direct British crown control.
8. Explain one cultural consequence of imperialism in Asia.
Show Answer
Suppression of traditions, spread of foreign education, new languages of administration.
9. Give one reason why small reforms matter.
Show Answer
They create awareness and networks that can expand into mass movements.
10. What common result emerged in both China and India?
Show Answer
The awakening of nationalism and organized resistance.

1. Multiple Choice: Which empire declined, enabling British dominance in India?
   Show Answer

   The Mughal Empire.
2. True/False: The Opium Wars strengthened China’s control.
   Show Answer

   False. They weakened sovereignty and led to unequal treaties.
3. Fill in the Blank: Hong Kong was ceded to ______ after the Treaty of Nanking.
   Show Answer

   Britain.
4. Matching: (A) Sepoy Rebellion (B) Treaty of Nanking (C) Kang Youwei — (1) Modernizer (2) Uprising (3) Unequal treaty.
   Show Answer

   A-2, B-3, C-1.
5. Short Answer: One harm of colonial cash crops in India.
   Show Answer

   Reduced food supply and worsened famines.
6. Multiple Choice: Which group started early petitions in India?
   Show Answer

   Indian National Congress.
7. True/False: China was formally colonized like India.
   Show Answer

   False. It remained sovereign but dominated through treaties and spheres.
8. Fill in the Blank: The ______ Wars forced China to open ports to foreign trade.
   Show Answer

   Opium.
9. Short Answer: How did education in India promote nationalism?
   Show Answer

   By exposing people to liberal and nationalist ideas.
10. Essay: In 4–5 sentences, explain how imperialism both weakened and awakened China and India.
    Show Answer

    Imperialism drained resources and sovereignty but revealed injustice, inspiring reformers, movements, and national pride in both countries.

1. Research: Find one reformer in India other than Gandhi and explain their contribution.
2. Compare: Write 300 words comparing China’s treaties with India’s colonial administration.
3. Debate: Was modernization the best way to resist imperialism? Why or why not?
4. Create: Illustrate a political cartoon showing unequal treaties in China.
5. Connect: Identify one Philippine movement that resisted foreign domination and compare strategies.

Notebook Task: In 8–10 sentences, reflect on this: “How did imperialism both weaken and awaken nations like China and India? What lesson can Filipinos draw from their experience?”

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