This document provides an overview of the skills and content assessed in a China Historical Skills Assessment. It outlines three parts: 1) Identifications, which require short paragraphs explaining key terms and their significance; 2) Cause and Effect questions about major historical events linked to social, political, intellectual, and cultural elements; and 3) evaluating Change and Continuity over time in China under Mao and today. Key terms, events, and themes are listed to study for the different parts of the assessment.

1. China Historical Skills Assessment
Review

2. Part 1: Identifications
• Identifications are a short paragraph that
explains what a term is and why it is
significant to the topic of study.
• Identifications test both your content
knowledge and your critical thinking.

3. Example: Confucianism
Confucianism is a traditional Chinese ethical system
developed around the ideas and writings of Chinese
philosopher Confucius in the 6th century BCE. His
ideas focus on social harmony through the valuing of
human relationships. Confucianism is socially
significant because it was the justification for the social
hierarchy of dynastic China. Confucianism can also be
tied to political elements of Chinese history because
despite the Communist government’s desire to make
China egalitarian, Confucianism still has a cultural
legacy in modern China, influencing gender and social

4. Terms to Study
• Mandate of Heaven
• Confucianism
• Capitalism
• Communism
• Mao Zedong
• The Chinese Communist Party
• The Long March
• Hundred Flowers Campaign
• The Great Leap Forward
• The Cultural Revolution

5. Part 2: Cause and Effect
• This skill asks you to identify key causes and
effects of major historical events.
• You want try to discuss at least two causes and
two effects of each event, all linked to the SPICE
elements of China.

6. Events to Study
• The 1911 Revolution
• The Chinese Civil War
• Mao Zedong’s Rule (1949-1976)
• Deng Xiaoping’s Rule (1978-1992) and The 4
Modernizations

7. Part 3: Change and Continuity
• In this skill you are evaluating historical change
over time. You are going to be asked to
evaluate themes in China’s History (think SPICE
elements) that have changed as China has
modernized and what themes have remained
the same.
• Focus on China under Mao Zedong and China
today. Think back to what you saw in the
Anthony Bourdain episode