The story of communism developing in China is complicated. It involved domestic struggle and international conflict. Creating a chronology of these events will help students understand why communism was initially so appealing to many Chinese citizens.
Students will create a storyboard timeline of the development of communism in China in the 20th century. The timeline should include 8-10 cells and must include:
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options and adjust the instructions accordingly.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline that illustrates the major events of Chinese communism.
Engage students by initiating a whole-class or small-group discussion after timeline creation. Encourage students to share insights, compare timelines, and ask questions about the events. This deepens understanding and helps students connect historical events to broader themes.
Ask students to identify how one event led to another on their timelines. Guide them to think critically about connections, such as how the Long March influenced later policies. This reinforces historical thinking skills and helps students grasp the complexity of history.
Share excerpts from speeches, posters, or photographs related to key events. Have students analyze these sources within their timelines, adding context and personal perspectives. This brings history to life and supports visual learning.
Organize a gallery walk or online showcase where students view each other's timelines. Prompt students to give constructive feedback about historical accuracy and creativity. This fosters collaboration and builds confidence in sharing ideas.
Key events in the rise of communism in China include the leadership of Sun Yixian, the conflict between Nationalists and Communists, the Long March, World War I and II's impact, Mao Zedong's rise, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution.
Students can create a storyboard timeline by dividing events into 8-10 cells, labeling each with a major event, writing brief descriptions, and adding illustrations that represent key figures and moments in the development of communism in China.
Communism appealed to many Chinese citizens due to promises of equality, land reform, and an end to corruption and foreign influence, especially during times of war, poverty, and unstable leadership.
A timeline is a sequence of events in order, often linear, while a timeline poster is a more visual, creative display that can be used for presentations or gallery walks, allowing for group collaboration and enhanced visuals.
Main figures include Sun Yixian (Sun Yat-sen), Mao Zedong, and Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek), each playing significant roles in shaping China's political path during the 20th century.