7th Grade UBD - Unit 4 - China Today

 Economy and Government- China today mixes private enterprise with government ownership, but its government remains a dictatorship.  People in a Changing Environment- China is reshaping its environment as its population grows and economy develops.  Society and Culture- Although communism changed much in China, many traditions have survived.

 In the 1980s economic reforms spurred China’s rapid growth.  The Chinese Communist Party holds all real political power in China.  All the world- and especially Taiwan- is watching how China treats Hong Kong.

 China’s push to become a modern, more open economy has been difficult for millions of Chinese workers.  Under Communist rule, factories were once secure in the knowledge that they had lifetime employment, but this is no longer the case.

 In the past decade the government has ordered many formerly state-owned factories to become economically self- sufficient.  In China, few laid-off workers have pensions or health care benefits to ease retirement.

 The Chinese decided to do three major things: 1. Expand agricultural output. 2. Develop modern industries. 3. Improve Chinese science and technology.

 The old government took over all the farmland in China and turned them into private farm communes.  Under he new government the land was still government- owned, but farm families lease the land and make decisions about what to grow and how much to sell.

Key Term Commune- A rural community where village farmers work together and share equally what they produce.

 Forced governmental factories to become more efficient. Managers became responsible for producing quality goods and making profit.  To allow foreign businesses to open and to permit Chinese and foreign experts to work together.

 China sent thousands of students abroad to study advanced science and technology.  China today is becoming a technologically advanced nation.

 China has a tough stand against democracy.  China today is an economic superpower and one of the United States’ largest trading partners.  China has a market- economy.

Key Term Tariff- A tax placed on a product when it is imported into a country.

 Modern engineering and technology are helping China solve the many problems of an increasingly crowded society.  Because good farmland is scarce, the Chinese use intensive farming.  China’s huge population puts great pressures on its resources.

 Millions of Chinese live along the rivers in China. Rivers are important transportation systems for the country.  The rivers provide good soil for farming however, floods can cause tremendous damage.  Dams provide people with power and have been used to help control floods and assist in river navigation.

 Why are rivers important in China?

 China’s rivers provide a vast transportation and communication system. They also provide irrigation for cropland and are a resource that can be used to generate hydro electric power.

Three Gorges Dam

Video Building China's Mega Dam

Video Three Gorges Dam Full Operation

 A large population needs large amounts of food. The government watches farming closely to avoid terrible famines.  The Chinese make the best use of limited land through intensive farming, double cropping, and aquaculture.

 Chinese farmers run a never-ending race. Almost every year they produce more food through intensive farming, double cropping, technology, and aquaculture. Yet the population is increasing at the rate of 8.6 million people a year.

Key Term Intensive Farming- Using all available fertile land for agriculture.

Key Term Double Cropping- A method of maximizing limited farmland. In southern China, for example, where the growing season is long farmers plant a second crop between rows of the first crop. The second crop has already begun to grow by the time the first one is harvested.

Key Term Aquaculture- Raising food products in water.

 China industrializes. Its population grows. Farmers use more chemicals to increase crop yields. All of this places more stress on China’s environment.  Clouds of polluted air hang over China’s cities. Its main source of energy is coal.

 China is second only to the United States in the emission of greenhouse gases.  The government has not enforced rules against pollution. Factories and people dump untreated wastes into nearby streams or rivers.

 What source of energy pollutes so much of China?

 China’s main source of energy is coal. Coal smoke from homes and factories pollutes the air.

 China’s future holds many possibilities. It is becoming a major industrial and political power in the world. How it will use this power remains to be seen.

 Despite the Communist revolution, old ways survive. Chinese life today often blends old and new ways.  In the arts and cooking, modern China has built on traditions.  China has made progress in educating its huge population.

 Museums around the world proudly display Chinese works of art. These include Chinese bronze objects more than 4,000 years old, hand painted scrolls of great beauty, or elegant porcelain vases. China’s art includes sculpture, painting, literature, and theater.

Key Term The Cultural Revolution- An attack on old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits to bring education, art, and literature in line with communism.

 In China, dragons are a symbol of good luck, prosperity, and health. An emperor adopted the dragon as a royal emblem in ancient China. No one was allowed to wear clothes with the dragon symbol. Today, as in the past, Chinese celebrate their New Year with a dragon dance. A group puts on a long dragon costume and parades through the streets.

Video- Dragon Dance

 Chinese students seem motivated to learn. Children attend school Monday through Friday and Saturday morning.  They learn reading, arithmetic, and science. They also learn politeness, discipline, and respect.  After high school, students have to pass stiff three-day exams to get into college.  After completing university courses, the government assigns the graduates to jobs. Today, many prefer to begin working in private business.

 What do students in China study?

 They learn reading, arithmetic, and science. They also learn politeness, discipline, and respect.