teaching about the recent past

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Dramatic protests in China and South Korea have followed the recent revision of Japanese history textbooks. Let's use this corner of the forum to discuss strategies and materials to consider when teaching about the recent past.

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UCLA history professor Fred Notehelfer commented on the KCRW program "To The Point" about the textbook controversy. You can hear his conversation with Warren Olney at:

http://play.rbn.com/?url=livecon/kcrw/g2demand/tp/tp050411Confirmation_Hearing.rm&start=00:42:22.254&end=00:50:13.764&proto=rtsp
[Edit by="Clay Dube on Jul 21, 5:09:57 PM"][/Edit]

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Jonathan Zimmerman, in an essay published in the Christian Science Monitor, writes:

"Should history textbooks make you love your country? Most people would say "yes." And that's why textbooks inevitably distort the past - even here, in the good old USA. Americans like to think they've reckoned with their history, while other nations remain mired in propaganda and distortion. Americans should think again."

For the full essay: http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0504/p09s01-coop.html

Zimmerman is a professor of education at New York University.

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Mark Magnier reported on May 8, 2005 in the Los Angeles Times on the rather weak coverage of recent history in Chinese history texts. Among the topics treated in misleading ways: World War II, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution. Among the topics not addressed at all: the 1989 student-initiated demonstrations in Tiananmen Square.

Here is one passage from the article:

"Yes, what Japan did in World War II is horrible," said Sam Crane, Asian studies professor at Williams College in Massachusetts. "But the embarrassing fact for the Communist Party, and one that is not taught in Chinese schools, is that the party itself is responsible for many more deaths of Chinese people than those caused by Japanese militarism."

[Anonymous]

I once read in a history text that McCarthyism was Americas darkest hour. I couldn't help but think what was SLAVERY!

Textbooks go figure.

Frank

[Anonymous]

Zimmerman is right the U.S. does have a messy closet. I for one teach about how the black slaves were openly reported to be inferior to the whites but when a slave ran away the newspaper clippings would report a hansome, intelligent man that could read and possibly speak two languages. I report on heros such as Elizabeth Keckly and other remarkable historical figures that will not be found in our textbooks. But, I do not blame textbooks for not reporting the facts I blame the teacher (Professional Development). However, if you continuously report the negative side of history you will tear down your country. So empower without raining on every parade. America is great country--at least that is what some foriegners tell me. The way I see it wherever you have people--you have sick, evil, problems. Teaching about the past doesn'tr erase the pain, hopfully it makes us aware of how to prevent these plagues in the future. Lastly, to all the teachers who love to teach the great evils, all the time--don't forget to teach about the heros and martyers--like Oscar Schindler, U.S. Grant,...

Frank

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Many of us draw on Jung Chang's Wild Swans to teach about 20th century China. It's a wonderful look at the century through the perspective of generations of women in her family. Now she and her husband have published a massive (over 800 page) volume on Mao Zedong. It's title is Mao: The Unknown Story so from the outset they promise to explode ideas widely "known" about the leader of the Chinese Communist Party and for almost thirty years the leader of China.

Among the arguments they make:
Mao lacked personal courage, took sadistic pleasure in the cruel deaths of others, and enjoyed his privileged position immensely.

The Soviets were directly responsible for the founding of the Party and for its eventual success in the post-World War II civil war. Mao, in fact, was not a skilled military strategist and sometimes sent CCP forces against the Nationalists or the Japanese in ways designed to improve his position within the CCP leadership.

Reviews:
Guardian, June 4, 2005 -- Hinton

The Independent - Mirsky

The Economist

The Scotsman - Adair

Interview:
The Independent - Wheelwright

The Guardian - Allardice

Sydney Morning Herald

[Anonymous]

Today's LA Times features an article about the Yasukuni Shrine, the controversial war memorial in Tokyo. Apparently, Prime Minister Koizumi is facing growing criticism in his own country over his visits to the shrine. I used to wonder why he made such a public spectacle out of his annual visits. I figured it had something to do with his pride. But I was also sympathetic to the possibility that he was paying his respects to the 2.5 Million Japanese soldiers that died for his country in WWII.
The article implies that Koizumi's political ambitions and duties are the driving force behind his visits. The Japan Association for the Bereaving families of the War Dead supported Koizumi when he ran for Prime Minister in 2001. He must feel indebted to these benefactors (they keep the shrine funded) and is trying to maintain the support and satisfaction of his constituents. In the meantime, however, Koizumi must contend with the growing criticism of his own people. In addition to the angry reactions witnessed in China and S. Korea, some Japanese people are also urging him to discontinue his visits.
I would like to visit the Yasukuni Museum some day to see, once and for all, if the historical "airbrushing" and "glossing over" and "sugar coating" and war crime denial is really as blatant as the outspoken critics claim. Textbooks, museums, territorial disputes, and the actions of political leaders need to reflect a diplomatic sensitivity that Koizumi seems to lack. Possibly as a result of the growing concern over its intensifying relations with China, a nascent movement of frustration and criticism seems to be evident in Japan.

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Here's a link to the LA Times story about the Yasukuni Shrine. Unfortunately, the Times archives their articles after about a week, so act quickly and save a copy of the article if you think it might be useful.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-koizumi6jun06,1,6630999.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

Here's the Yasukuni Shrine website:

http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/

Here is a page of photos of the shrine (by Robert D. Fiala):
http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/tokyo/yasukuniindex.htm

[Anonymous]

Have there always been so many articles on East Asia in the news? Or are my eyes simply more open to them. Nearly every day or so there is a special feature or article on China or Korea in the news. It seems that taking a course on East Asia has given me the background I need to notice, read, and understand these many articles.
Courtney

[Anonymous]

Monday's Los Angeles Times (July 11) has a first-page article on the stress young Chinese people are feeling because of the opportunities posed by a more commercial economy. There were several interesting ideas:

1) With China's one child policy, the only children in each family feel tremendous pressure to do well. Their parents, grandparents, etc., encourage the child to succeed. Plus, the parents of this generation of young adults were unable to achieve their dreams because of the Cultural Revolution and Communist restrictions, so they are trying to live out their life goals through their children. This pressure is causing young people to not be happy with anything they achieve; their goals are so high that they can't find happiness in achieving only a portion of the goal. They are looking at a few billionaires as their role models and are feeling frustrated that they aren't keeping up.

2) Many Chinese feel that this is a "once-in-a-few-centuries era when dynasties topple and individual fortunes are made -- and that they're missing out." I could see how this would be an enormous pressure. For decades, the Chinese government has restricted opportunities, and now that it is clipping some of the chains, the Chinese feel the door of opportunity will be open for only a short time and they have to enter now or neverl. In the U.S., we don't have that kind of time pressure; there's a feeling that the opportunities will always be there, and Americans can find success any time.

3) The article explained that one problem in China is that there is no way to balance the materialism with ethical goals. The government has discouraged religion, which provides a "counterweight in many other societies," and "personal contentment, scholarship or ethical behavior" are not emphasized. Material wealth is the new "religion" on China. Perhaps this isn't so different from the standards of many in the U.S., but I fear for a people -- anywhere -- for whom materialism is the highest goal. First, it doesn't help people feel satisfaction in life and second, it encourages more use/waste of our world's resources. I understand that everyone wants to be "comfortable," but it's hard to put any limits on comfort.

4) This drive for wealth is causing a rift in society between the haves and the have-nots. Some of the older Chinese are upset because there is such a discrepancy in wealth. One 48-year-old was quoted: "What's so great about letting a few get rich while so many more are dragged into poverty? I really miss the Mao period when things were equal, and wish we could bring back the good old days." Now, this sounds like the U.S. We, too, are struggling with the two-society phenomenon, and there is this nostalgia for the past. Ah, how to develop the perfect society...
Courtney

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Courtney's nicely summarized the LA Times article. The Times is stingy on access, but you might take a look at "Driven to Be Made".

Also, the Christian Science Monitor published a series in Dec. 2004 looking at how prosperity is changing Chinese families. Go to "For Love and Money" to see the series.

[Anonymous]

I am having the same observation. Were these articles always there and I never really took notice? I think yes and no. I think there were articles but I think the tide of articles about China and North Korea specifically have risen tremendously. The changing economy in China is so significant not only because of its size but also that it is occuring in this era of globalization, easy information access, etc.

We are aware of the trade deficit with China, I realize that at least something I'm wearing each day was made in China. But its really astounding, goods made by companies in lets say Western Europe, anywhere from wallets, to makeup, to jewelry are made in China (I've been out doing a little bit of shopping during summer vacation). Outsourcing of course is one of strategies a company uses to cut costs and increase profits, China is definately capitalizing on it. Additionally, I was at a business office when a man (who is an airlines pilot) brought in his wares from China - unbelievable designer knock-offs. I have a pretty good eye and could not tell the difference in most of these goods. Apparently for instance, Tiffany jewelry; they have all the molds.

[Anonymous]

I can't say for certain, but I do not believe there have been, consistently so many articles about East Asia and China in particular in the past. We also have a greater awareness so we are more likely to notice what is there. But, as China has become a more important player on the world stage, there is more to write about and more interest. In this vein, I believe China has recently (within the last year) crossed form being important in the world to being a major player. Whith the recent alterations in trade limititations and China's ability to enter into large scale economic cmmitments, ie. Unocal. I think they reached a kind of financial critical mass that has allowed them to jump into the scene.

Just some perceptions,

David Dandridge

[Anonymous]

A current issue that may make good material for "recent past" is the Chinese offer to buy Unocal. It will be interesting to see how our government handles it and how the Chinese react to that handleing. In particular if Congress disallows the Chinese offer or puts serious restrictions on it. Something to watch and record.

David Dandridge

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