Imperialism+Jigsaw+Projects+4D

Powerpoint:

Script:

Sangwoo: Intro: The age of Imperialism was a time in which there was a lot of competition for a single goal. To be rich. To achieve that goal, whatever can be done, can be done, and was done, by the Europeans. One of the issues was the trade relations between Britain and China. Lets let the Europeans tell their part of this whole imperialism business first.

Patirck: I speak for Europe and what we experienced as a result of the global imperialism. So, here's our story. By the end of the 19th century, us, Europe, was experiencing a severe trading deficit. The main reason for this shortage was the unbalance between trade. It was unfair for us, because we were importing more goods from China than China was importing form us. We had to import a great quantity of Chinese products as the demands for Chinese tea, silk, and porcelain increased in Britain. However, China could support itself and didn’t have to rely a lot on foreign, imported goods. As Chinese peasants converted some of their cotton-growing land to tea, there was a greater demand for British cotton, but that still didn't make up for the millions and millions of silver currency that we spent on importing from China. So, we came up with a plan! We decided to export to China something that is VERY addictive, so that they would keep on importing them from us. And OPIUM WAS THE PERFECT SOLUTION!

Rachel: But the problem now was that opium was retrained in China by the imperial government. But what could we do? If we didn't export them to China, our economy would soon collapse! So, we secretly and illegally carried out our plan. And it was pretty successful I'd say, because Britain was able to smuggle 8 million pounds of opium into China! But the government soon found out about the smuggling and started a war with us. Of course, we won with our advanced military technology. We made them sign the Treaty of Nanjing later on, which gave us a lot of profit. Some people may think that we, Britain, was mean to smuggle drugs into foreign nations, but we were just trying to get rid of the unfair trade routine. We were only trying to make peace.

Sangwoo: Now, we will hear the same story from Asia's perspective.

Lisa: Well, we, Chinese, were living in peace, since we were self-sufficient. Europe asked for our tea and silk, so were sold them to the Europeans. We had no idea that The British people would think that the trade is unfair, because we just sold them what they asked and bought what we needed from them. It's just that, we didn't need much from Europe. I mean, we can't import things that we don't even need, just to even out the trade. If a nation is not financially strong, then, it is their own problem. It was never right to sell drugs to our nation's innocent people, since now, our people all hopelessly addicted to it. We couldn't just watch our poor citizens get drugged, so we started a war, The Opium War. Although...we lost and became the servants of the British.

Sangwoo: Then, the Americans came to Japan to fish for whales. This started up some more heat.

Patrick: Well, Japan had been isolated form other countries for centuries. We wanted to help them catch up with the world, so we the Americans arrived in Japan for some simple business negotiation, in which we both will profit. First, the Japanese, stubborn, decided to ignore our requests, and went on to improve culture. Culture! pff... Think about it! Drawing and music, while there is money to be made! But thank goodness. When they saw the shotgun and cannons coming out of our ship, they got scared and sign our treaty to end their isolation and trade with us.

Rachel: Wait a minute, but don't get us wrong, because it wasn't like we were trying to invade Japan or anything. We just wanted permission for a small thing that could be an easy business transaction, completed with a single signature from the Emperor of Japan. But, no, the Japanese just had to have their cultural growth. It is just a waste of resources and money. All we ever did was thrust a contract that was so in favor of the Japanese, and now, they want to start a fight.

Sangwoo: now, the Japanese...

Lisa: No way! We did not harm anyone by not being in any business transactions for our sake, and for others. I think that what you Americans did was invade Japan. Japan is invaded by the Americans in order to steal the natural resources that we were saving up for later. It is as simple as that. We didn't harm you, and you don't either. Just because we lost doesn't mean that we are content with our deals.

Sangwoo: Now, there was another story about the Americans taking over the Philippines... What was THAT about?

Patrick: We came there with our minds set on business and ready to earn some $$$$. Then, we realized that what we were doing was wrong for the people living there, and, at last, we helped them recuperate from the aftermath.

Rachel: We had to go to war with the Philippines, because they had great resources that could be ours, if, and when we win. We had a little war, but, so that other nations will think of us as kind, we built a few hospitals and schools to make us look good.

Sangwoo: The Philippine people says?..,.

Lisa: Americans invaded the Philippines. They turned out land into factories and battlefields. There is no morals, no souls in these islands anymore, because of these invaders. They might have helped us at last, but, they had to do more than that for what they have done. Could they revive the dead? Could they bring back the old Philippines?

Sangwoo: Now, we conclude our storytelling time... good bye! (or w/e just put w/e)