Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

When Conflict Creates Countries

China and Taiwan

Laura Halstied | Published: July 27th, 2026 by K20 Center

  • Grade Level Grade Level 10th
  • Subject Subject Social Studies
  • Course Course World History
  • Time Frame Time Frame 90 Minutes
  • Duration More 2 Periods

Summary

In this lesson, students examine how the Chinese Civil War of the 20th century resulted in the creation of communist China and democratic Taiwan. Students reflect on the relationship between China and Taiwan by analyzing facts about both locations, reading about the conflict, and reflecting on a video. This multimodal lesson includes face-to-face, online, and hybrid versions of the lesson. The attachments also include a downloadable Common Cartridge file, which can be imported into a learning management system (LMS) such as Canvas or eKadence. The cartridge includes interactive student activities and notes for the teacher.

Essential Question(s)

How did the Chinese Civil War create two societies?

Snapshot

Engage

Students recall what they already know about China’s history and government. 

Explore

Students examine characteristics of China and Taiwan. 

Explain

Students read about the Chinese Civil War and explain how the war resulted in China and Taiwan.

Extend

Students evaluate the relationship between China and Taiwan. 

Evaluate

Students summarize the relationship between China and Taiwan. 

Instructional Formats

The term "Multimodality" refers to the ability of a lesson to be offered in more than one modality (i.e. face-to-face, online, blended). This lesson has been designed to be offered in multiple formats, while still meeting the same standards and learning objectives. Though fundamentally the same lesson, you will notice that the different modalities may require the lesson to be approached differently. Select the modality that you are interested in to be taken to the section of the course designed for that form of instruction.

Face-to-Face

Materials

  • Lesson Slides (attached)

  • China and Taiwan handout (attached; one per student)

  • Comparing China and Taiwan handout (attached; one per student)

Face-to-Face

Engage

10 Minute(s)

Use the attached Lesson Slides to guide the lesson. Begin with slide 3 and introduce the Tell Me Everything strategy to students. Have students write down everything they already know about China’s history and government on a piece of notebook paper. Provide them with a few minutes to write. Then, tell them to compare what they wrote with a partner.

Move through slides 4–5 to introduce the essential question and lesson objective.

Face-to-Face

Explore

10 Minute(s)

Introduce the I Think, We Think strategy to students and pass out one copy of the attached Comparing China and Taiwan handout to each student. Display slide 6 and provide time for students to individually read the information on the handout. Then, have students partner up and discuss the information using the guiding question on the slide, “What are the differences between China and Taiwan?”

Invite volunteers to share out what they discussed with their partners. Have a brief class discussion about students’ observations.

Face-to-Face

Explain

20 Minute(s)

Display slide 7 and pass out one copy of the attached China and Taiwan handout to each student. Organize students into pairs. Tell students to read through the handout and complete the guided Window Notes on the handout with their partners. Provide time for students to read and take notes, then ask for several volunteers to share what they wrote.

Face-to-Face

Extend

15 Minute(s)

Move to slide 8 and introduce the Surprising, Interesting, Troubling strategy to students. Tell students as they watch a video about China and Taiwan, they should look for something surprising, something interesting, and something troubling. Move to slide 9 and play the video Taiwan and China Explained.

Display slide 10 and provide time for students to discuss the video with a partner. Ask for several volunteers to share their thoughts.

Face-to-Face

Evaluate

10 Minute(s)

Display slide 11 and introduce the Six-Word Memoirs strategy. Have students write a summary of the relationship between China and Taiwan in only six words. Have students write their summary on a piece of notebook paper, sticky note, or the back of a handout. 

Collect students’ Six-Word Memoirs to review and check students’ understanding of the lesson content.

Resources