Deng Xiaoping, Tiananmen Square and Opening up and Reform - Full Lesson

This lesson focuses on China under Deng Xiaoping. Focusing on the economic changes Kaifang Gaige (Opening up and Reform), the Tiananmen Square Massacre (6/4) and finishes with a look at modern China.

It is useful as a stand-alone lesson on China, as part of a greater Cold War scheme of work, or in conjunction with my other China lessons (where this forms the third part). This lesson can be taught in one or spread over two.

• Lesson begins with the students making predictions about how and why Shenzhen grew so much.

• Students then recap/get background information on the Cultural Revolution.

• Students will then investigate a quote by Deng Xiaoping and make a hypothesis on how he will run China.

• The policies of Opening Up and Reform are then discussed, with links to the USSR, and then the effects are analysed, numeracy task.

• Students then learn about the democracy movement, including the Tiananmen Square Massacre and its aftermath.

• Finally students look at modern China and understand the economic and soft-power China possesses today.

• Some key words and phrases from the lesson: Cultural Revolution, Chairman Mao, Deng Xiaoping, economic, development, Opening Up, Reform, Kaifang, Gaige, Glasnost, Perestroika, Tiananmen Square Massacre, democracy, GDP, Huawei, Tiktok

This is a fully resourced lesson including a PowerPoint as well as documents for printing, including an extension exercise if needed.