Rationale For Inclusion of Materials
Document 1: Open Door Policy Note
This document was chosen to illustrate the Open Door Policy, a US foreign policy that attempted to allow US trading terms on equal footing with the European powers within China despite the US not having any great degree of influence within the nation. It illustrates the growing US Imperialist presence in Asia following the taking of the Philippines after the Spanish American War.
This document was chosen to illustrate the Open Door Policy, a US foreign policy that attempted to allow US trading terms on equal footing with the European powers within China despite the US not having any great degree of influence within the nation. It illustrates the growing US Imperialist presence in Asia following the taking of the Philippines after the Spanish American War.
Document 2: Atlantic Monthly Article
The Atlantic Monthly article was chosen because it provides some insight into US views towards China and the Chinese as well as Japan along with US opinion on the actions of the various European countries involvement in the region. It also makes direct use of the phrase "Yellow Peril."
The Atlantic Monthly article was chosen because it provides some insight into US views towards China and the Chinese as well as Japan along with US opinion on the actions of the various European countries involvement in the region. It also makes direct use of the phrase "Yellow Peril."
Document 3: Telegram from British Foreign Office
The telegram was chosen because it provides a ground-level view of early Boxer Rebellion events from the perspectives of British and Chinese officials. The language used between the two sources is interesting as are the references to existing treaties.
The telegram was chosen because it provides a ground-level view of early Boxer Rebellion events from the perspectives of British and Chinese officials. The language used between the two sources is interesting as are the references to existing treaties.
Document 4: Puck Lithograph (The First Duty)
This image was chosen because it raises questions about the meaning of 'civilization.' The positioning of the figures involved also leads to great inferencing.
This image was chosen because it raises questions about the meaning of 'civilization.' The positioning of the figures involved also leads to great inferencing.
Document 5: Kaiser Wilhelm II Speech
The speech provides a direct German perspective and also relates to the later Twain document. The contrast between the tone of the language used in the telegram, Loti's account, and the various US articles should be thought-provoking for the students.
The speech provides a direct German perspective and also relates to the later Twain document. The contrast between the tone of the language used in the telegram, Loti's account, and the various US articles should be thought-provoking for the students.
Document 6: Chinese Map for Foreign Legations
The map was chosen because it not only provides an illustration of the besieged Legation quarters but also because of the significance of the wall around the compound that separates the quarters from the rest of the city.
The map was chosen because it not only provides an illustration of the besieged Legation quarters but also because of the significance of the wall around the compound that separates the quarters from the rest of the city.
Document 7: Puck Lithograph (Buddha and Jesus)
This image was chosen for its juxtaposition of figures and because it complicates the various motives of both the Chinese and the foreign powers involved in the Boxer Rebellion.
This image was chosen for its juxtaposition of figures and because it complicates the various motives of both the Chinese and the foreign powers involved in the Boxer Rebellion.
Document 8: Letter to the Editor
This letter provides part of the rationale for US involvement and then complicates the picture. It also raises questions as to internal support in the United States (the motivations for US involvement as seen by some citizens) and to the ethics of Imperialism overall.
This letter provides part of the rationale for US involvement and then complicates the picture. It also raises questions as to internal support in the United States (the motivations for US involvement as seen by some citizens) and to the ethics of Imperialism overall.
Document 9: Pierre Loti Excerpt
The reason for including this excerpt was to provide another firsthand account as well as to offer up a French view. It also covers the supposed barbarity and horror of the actual fighting, which may complicate student views as to the reasons why the foreign powers became involved.
The reason for including this excerpt was to provide another firsthand account as well as to offer up a French view. It also covers the supposed barbarity and horror of the actual fighting, which may complicate student views as to the reasons why the foreign powers became involved.
Document 10: Foreign Troops in Forbidden City photograph
This may be the weak link among the documents but the scene was too powerful not to include. Foreign troops, victorious, array themselves within the Forbidden City, a place that not even many Chinese had seen. Students could use this image to infer multiple reasons for foreign power involvement.
This may be the weak link among the documents but the scene was too powerful not to include. Foreign troops, victorious, array themselves within the Forbidden City, a place that not even many Chinese had seen. Students could use this image to infer multiple reasons for foreign power involvement.
Document 11: Puck Lithograph (Awakening of China)
This image contrasts nicely against some of the others, representing China as powerful rather than pitiful. The timing of the publication, after the Rebellion, is interesting and may reveal some internal concerns that motivated the foreign suppression.
This image contrasts nicely against some of the others, representing China as powerful rather than pitiful. The timing of the publication, after the Rebellion, is interesting and may reveal some internal concerns that motivated the foreign suppression.
Document 12: Mark Twain Excerpt
This excerpt was included because it helps offer a critique of Kaiser Wilhelm's statement. Twain's use of 'the game' to describe Imperialism may lead to interesting student appraisal. It also complicates US involvement.
This excerpt was included because it helps offer a critique of Kaiser Wilhelm's statement. Twain's use of 'the game' to describe Imperialism may lead to interesting student appraisal. It also complicates US involvement.
Document 13: Guardian 100 Year Anniversary Article
The newspaper article was included because it represents a modern view. How do the British see events 100 years later now that their empire is no more? Has the view changed or been complicated in any way?
The newspaper article was included because it represents a modern view. How do the British see events 100 years later now that their empire is no more? Has the view changed or been complicated in any way?
Document 14: Conflicting Depictions Article
This article provides a modern Chinese perspective and illustrates that the rationale for the conflict is debated both within China and without even to this day.
This article provides a modern Chinese perspective and illustrates that the rationale for the conflict is debated both within China and without even to this day.
Special Note
One may find the lack of Chinese or Japanese materials to be problematic. I wanted to include a Japanese perspective but have not yet found a good source. This may be rectified at a later date.
As for Chinese materials, the aim of this DBQ is to understand NON-Chinese motivations. Students should readily understand what motivated the Boxers to rebel and the empress to side with them. However, this may lead to questions in class and I encourage an exploration of Chinese motivations in pre- or post- activity discussion.
One may find the lack of Chinese or Japanese materials to be problematic. I wanted to include a Japanese perspective but have not yet found a good source. This may be rectified at a later date.
As for Chinese materials, the aim of this DBQ is to understand NON-Chinese motivations. Students should readily understand what motivated the Boxers to rebel and the empress to side with them. However, this may lead to questions in class and I encourage an exploration of Chinese motivations in pre- or post- activity discussion.