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Course: World History Project - 1750 to the Present > Unit 1

Lesson 3: Scaling to Two Places in the World | 1.2
Arts and humanities
World History Project - 1750 to the Present
The World in 1750
Scaling to Two Places in the World | 1.2
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BEFORE YOU WATCH: Macartney’s Expedition and the Global Economy

Google Classroom
Use the “Three Close Reads” approach as you watch the video below (next in the lineup!). If you want to learn more about this strategy, click here.

First read: preview and skimming for gist

Before you watch, you should skim the transcript first. The skim should be very quick and give you the gist (general idea) of what the video is about. You should be looking at the title, thumbnails, pictures, and first few seconds of the video for the gist.

Second read: key ideas and understanding content

Now that you’ve skimmed the video transcript and taken a quick peek at the video, you should preview the questions you will be answering. These questions will help you get a better understanding of the concepts and arguments that are presented in the video. Keep in mind that when you watch the video, it is a good idea to write down any vocab you read or hear that is unfamiliar to you.
By the end of the second close read, you should be able to answer the following questions:
  1. Why was Portsmouth important?
  2. Where was the economic center of the world at the end of the eighteenth century?
  3. Why were Europeans more interested in trade with China than the Chinese were in trade with Europe?
  4. What roles did European powers in the Indian Ocean (other than Britain) play in the global economy?
  5. Why did Lord Macartney travel to China?
  6. Did Macartney succeed? Why or why not?

Third read: evaluating and corroborating

Finally, here are some questions that will help you focus on why this video matters and how it connects to other content you’ve studied.
At the end of the third read, you should be able to respond to these questions:
  1. Based on this video, do you think China or Britain had the stronger economy in 1793? Which would you predict would become the economic powerhouse of the nineteenth century? Why?
  2. How were British and Chinese society similar in 1793? How were they different?
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to watch! Remember to return to these questions once you’ve finished watching.

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