Classroom Debate A country s leader is often one of the most judged people in that country. Some citizens may think the leader is doing a great job, while others can only see his or her flaws. Imagine you are a scholar in modern-day China. You and several other scholars are planning to hold a meeting to discuss the impact of Emperor Qin Shi s reign. As you will learn in this activity, Qin Shi was one of the most powerful emperors who ever ruled China. However, did he have more of a positive or a negative impact on this country? At your meeting with your fellow scholars, you will debate the following topic: Resolved: Qin Shi had a positive impact on China. Qin Shi Huangdi (Ch'in Shih Huang-ti). IRC, 2005. Discovery Education. Web. I. Describe and Evaluate Views on Qin Shi s Rule 1. In this activity, you will take a position on the following topic: Resolved: Qin Shi had a positive impact on China. As you plan for your debate, you should keep in mind the following questions: What were Qin Shi s biggest accomplishments in China? What were his biggest failures? What steps did Qin Shi take to unify China? Was Qin Shi a fair ruler? Why or why not? 2. Read the following excerpts, watch the video segments, and study the images below. Using the graphic organizer below, take notes on the information you learn from the sources. Be sure to keep the debate topic questions in mind as you study each source. Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC
Classroom Debate Excerpt 1 from China: Ancient and Modern, 1900 Finding that the northern states of Thain, Chaou, and Yen were building lines of fortifications along their northern frontier for protection against the incursions of the Heung-nu, he [Qin Shi ] conceived the idea of constructing one gigantic wall, which was to stretch across the whole northern limit of the huge empire, from the sea to the furthest western corner of the modern province of Kan-su [Gansu].... He [Qin Shi ] ordered the whole existing literature, with the exception of books on medicine, agriculture and divination should be destroyed. This decree was almost universally carried out, and many scholars were put to death for failing in obedience to it. Miller, J. Martin. China: Ancient and Modern. Los Angeles, CA: Sanderson-Whitten, 1900. Hathitrust. Web. Qin Dynasty, 221 BC 206 BC: The First Emperor and the Great Wall of China from China: From Past to Present: The Silk Road, the Great Wall, and Changes in Government (2:29) This video segment describes the Great Wall and the terra-cotta army of Qin Shi Huang Di. China s Unified Empire from Culture and Math: The Chinese. (4:39) This video segment describes Qin Shi developed China s first empire. Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC
Classroom Debate Excerpt 2 from China: Ancient and Modern, 1900 This sovereign [Qin Shi ] was but thirteen years of age when he ascended the throne, but young as he was he speedily everywhere made his influence felt. He chose Hien-Yang, the modern Se-gan Fu, as the capital, and built there a magnificent palace, which was the wonder and admiration of his contemporaries. He constructed roads through the empire, he formed canals and erected numerous handsome public buildings. Having by these and other means settled the internal affairs of the kingdom, he turned his attention to the enemies beyond his frontier. Chief among these were the Heung-nu Tartars, whose attacks had for years kept the Chinese and neighboring principalities in a state of disquiet. Against these foes he marched an army of 300,000 men and completely routed them, exterminating those in the neighborhood of China, and driving the rest into the mountains of Mongolia. Miller, J. Martin. China: Ancient and Modern. Los Angeles, CA: Sanderson-Whitten, 1900. Hathitrust. Web. Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC
Classroom Debate Excerpt from A History of China, 1969 He [Qin Shi ] planned the capital in an ambitious style but, although there was real need for extension of the city, his plans can scarcely be regarded as of great service. His enormous palace, and also his mausoleum which was built for him before his death, were constructed in accordance with astral notions. Within the palace the emperor continually changed his residential quarters, probably not only from fear of assassination but also for astral reasons. His mausoleum formed a hemispherical dome, and all the stars of the sky were painted on its interior. In addition to this, the frontier walls already existing in the mountains were rebuilt and made into a single great system. Thus came into existence in 214 B.C., out of the blood and sweat of countless pressed labourers, the famous Great Wall. On one of his periodical journeys the emperor fell ill and died. His death was the signal for the rising of many rebellious elements. Nobles rose in order to regain power and influence; generals rose because they objected to the permanent pressure from the central administration and their supervision by controllers; men of the people rose as popular leaders because the people were more tormented than ever by forced labour, generally at a distance from their homes. Within a few months there were six different rebellions and six different rulers. Eberhard, Wolfram. A History of China. Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press, 1969. Web. Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC
The Impact of Qin Shi Classroom Debate Burning Books and Burying Scholars This image depicts the chaos and horror that stemmed from Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di s command to execute his political rivals and destroy written works that did not support his system of rule. Infamous "burning of books & burying of scholars. IRC, 2005. Discovery Education. Web. Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC
Classroom Debate A Grand Sight: The Great Wall of China This image displays a section of the massive Great Wall of China, a structure that was largely developed and expanded during Qin Shi s rule. The Great Wall of China. IRC, 2005. Discovery Education. Web. Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC
The Impact of Qin Shi Classroom Debate Standing Guard: The Terra-Cotta Warriors This image shows just a few of the terra-cotta warriors that were created to protect Qin Shi in the afterlife. Terra-Cotta Soldiers in Qin Shi Huangdi Tomb. IRC, 2005. Discovery Education. Web.. Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC
Debate Name of Source Positive Impacts of Qin Shi - What were some positive achievements of Qin Shi? - What were the effects of these achievements? Negative Impacts of Qin Shi - What were some negative achievements of Qin Shi? - What were the effects of these achievements? Other Information About Qin Shi Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC 8
Debate Name of Source Positive Impacts of Qin Shi - What were some positive achievements of Qin Shi? - What were the effects of these achievements? Negative Impacts of Qin Shi - What were some negative achievements of Qin Shi? - What were the effects of these achievements? Other Information About Qin Shi Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC 9
Debate Name of Source Positive Impacts of Qin Shi - What were some positive achievements of Qin Shi? - What were the effects of these achievements? Negative Impacts of Qin Shi - What were some negative achievements of Qin Shi? - What were the effects of these achievements? Other Information About Qin Shi Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC 10
Debate II. Prepare Your Argument 1. Now that you have completed your research, it is time to take a position and prepare your argument. You will either take the affirmative, meaning you believe Qin Shi had a positive impact on China, or the negative, meaning you believe that Qin Shi had a negative impact on China. Use the outline below to plan your argument. Opening Statement (Start with the most compelling argument or an overview of all arguments.) Topic Question 1 What were Qin Shi s biggest accomplishments in China? His biggest failures? Response to Question 1 Evidence Counterargument/ Defending Your Argument (How will the opposition respond to your position? How will you refute their argument?) Evidence Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC 11
Debate Topic Question 2 What steps China? did Qin Shi take to unify Response to Question 2 Evidence Counterargument/ Defending Your Argument (How will the opposition respond to your position? How will you refute their argument?) Evidence Topic Question 3 Was Qin Shi a fair ruler? Why or why not? Response to Question 3 Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC 12
Debate Evidence Counterargument/ Defending Your Argument (How will the opposition respond to your position? How will you refute their argument?) Evidence Closing Argument (Summarize and provide synthesis) Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC 13
Debate 2. Prepare note cards with your key points from the graphic organizer above. You will use the note cards as a reference during your debate. You may want to use the following format for your note cards: Topic Question: Source Information (Title, Author, if applicable): Important Information from the Source that Answers the Question: III. Present Your Debate 1. Form a group with 6 to 10 students. The group should be evenly divided so that an equal number of students are in favor of the topic and an equal number of students are against the topic. You will follow these steps: a. Pair up with a team member who has the opposing viewpoint to debate the topic. b. Present your opening statements to one another. Each person should be given two minutes to present his or her opening statement. c. Pause to reflect on what you heard and why it was interesting. Consider if the person s statement helped you change or rethink your position. d. Rotate to the next student in the opposing group. e. Present your responses and rebuttals to the first topic question. f. Pause to reflect on what you heard and why it was interesting. Consider if the person s responses helped you change or rethink your position. g. Repeat the rotation procedure for the remaining topic questions and closing argument. 2. After you complete your debate, write a paragraph explaining your experience. a. What is your position about the topic after completing the debate? Explain why your position either changed or stayed the same. b. What key points from the opposition did you find the most convincing? c. What changes could you make to your argument to better defend your position? Discovery Education Techbook Discovery Communications, LLC 14