Rebel Visions Planning Sheet Rebel Visions Planning Sheet
Recruit Name:
Date:
"History is written by the victors, but propaganda is drawn by the determined."
Warm-Up: The Power of Names
How does the way we name a group change how we feel about them? Reflect on the following:
Term A: "Rebel"
What feelings or images does this word bring to mind?
Term B: "Freedom Fighter"
What feelings or images does this word bring to mind?
Video Intelligence Briefing
Watch the segment on the "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" (4:41 - 6:14) and record key details below.
The Boxers (The Society)
Why did they fight? What were their specific beliefs or rituals mentioned in the video?
The Eight-Nation Alliance
How did foreign nations justify their invasion of Beijing? What terms did they use to describe the Boxers?
Propaganda Strategy: Pick Your Perspective
OPTION A Recruiting for the Boxers (Protect Tradition)
OPTION B Supporting the Alliance (Civilization & Order)
1. Target Audience (Who are you trying to convince?)
2. Catchy Slogan (Use strong, emotional language)
3. Visual Symbols (What icons or images will you draw?)
Drafting Space / Rough Sketch
Outline your poster composition here...
Gallery Walk Reflection
As you view your classmates' work, answer the following:
Pick one poster that was NOT your side. Why was it effective (or not)?
How does propaganda simplify complex historical events?
Fists of Defiance Slides Fists of Defiance
The Boxer Rebellion & The Power of Perspective
History Propaganda Rebellion
What's in a Name?
5-Minute Warm-Up
The European powers called them "The Boxers."
They called themselves "The Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists."
Think-Pair-Share:
How does calling a group "rebels" vs. "freedom fighters" change the way we view their actions?
DEBATE POINT
Watch & Analyze
4:41 — 6:14
Embedded media
Look For:
Where did the name "Boxer" come from?
What did they believe about their martial arts?
Who did they target and why?
Key Term:
"The Foreign Devils"
The Boxers' term for colonialists and missionaries.
The Creative Mission
Pick a Side, Design the Vision
The Boxers
"Protect the tradition, expel the invaders."
Slogan: "Death to the foreign devils!"
Theme: Protecting Chinese culture/religion.
Visuals: Martial arts, traditional symbols.
The Alliance
"Bring civilization and save the diplomats."
Slogan: "Saving the Diplomats!"
Theme: Bringing 'Order' to 'Chaos'.
Visuals: Modern soldiers, the 8-nation flags.
Gallery Walk
Exhibit your work
Rules of the Walk:
Tape your poster to the designated wall.
Silently observe the imagery used.
Try to guess: Who is the intended audience?
Note one symbol that was particularly powerful.
"Propaganda does not deceive people; it merely helps them to deceive themselves."
History Through Ink Rubric History Through Ink
Boxer Rebellion Poster Assessment
/ 20
Total Points Possible
Criteria Exemplary (5) Proficient (4) Developing (3) Beginning (2-1)
Historical Perspective
Accuracy of the chosen side (Boxers or Alliance).
| Perfectly captures the core motivations and grievances of the chosen side with specific historical nuance. | Clearly represents the chosen side's perspective with accurate general details. | Shows a basic understanding of the chosen side, but some details may be vague or slightly misplaced. | Perspective is unclear or historically inaccurate based on the video/lesson. |
|
Propaganda Strategy
Use of slogans, emotional appeal, and framing.
| Highly effective slogan and framing. Uses powerful emotional language to persuade a specific audience. | Includes a relevant slogan and clear attempt at persuasion through imagery/text. | Contains a basic slogan or call to action, but the persuasive impact is weak. | Lacks a slogan or clear persuasive intent. Feels more like a generic drawing. |
|
Visual Symbols
Use of iconography and symbolic imagery.
| Imagery is striking and uses sophisticated symbols (e.g., flags, fists, ruins) to convey a deep message. | Uses appropriate and recognizable symbols related to the historical context. | Uses simple symbols, but they may be generic or lack specific connection to the Boxer Rebellion. | Visuals are unrelated to the topic or lack any symbolic meaning. |
|
Craftsmanship
Neatness, use of color, and overall presentation.
| Exceptional effort. Layout is balanced, color choice is purposeful, and text is highly legible and bold. | Poster is neat, colored appropriately, and shows significant time investment. | Complete, but may appear rushed or lack attention to detail/color. | Incomplete, messy, or shows minimal effort in presentation. |
Instructor Comments
Final Evaluation
GRADE
Art Supplies Checklist
Large Drawing Paper (11x17)
Colored Markers/Pencils
Charcoal (for 'aged' effect)
Calligraphy Pens/Thin Liners
Rulers for straight lettering
Masking Tape (for Gallery Walk)
Teacher Combat Manual Teacher Combat Manual
Lesson: The Boxer Rebellion (Grade 8)
Pacing: 45-50 Min
Objective
Students will analyze historical perspectives of the Boxer Rebellion by creating propaganda posters representing either the Boxer (Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists) or the Eight-Nation Alliance perspective.
Logistics Check
Video link ready
Large paper (11x17)
Markers/Art supplies
Planning Sheets / Rubrics
05
Minutes
Phase 1: The Name Game (Warm-Up)
Begin by writing "The Boxers" and "The Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" on the board. Ask: "Which name sounds more official? Which sounds more dangerous? Why did the Europeans choose the nickname?"
Teacher Tip: Focus on how "naming" can be a form of propaganda itself by simplifying or trivializing a complex cultural movement.
10
Minutes
Phase 2: Video Intelligence
Screen the segment 4:41 - 6:14. Instruct students to use their Planning Sheets to identify the conflicting slogans used in the video (e.g., "Death to the foreign devils!" vs. "Saving the diplomats").
Key Points to Highlight:
The belief in "invincibility to bullets" (spiritual vs. modern warfare).
The 19,000 troops of the Eight-Nation Alliance invading without permission.
25
Minutes
Phase 3: Creative Propaganda
Students split or choose their perspective. They must use at least one historical symbol identified in the video or lesson.
Boxer Imagery:
Traditional woodblock style, clenched fists, dragons, traditional robes, burning foreign buildings.
Alliance Imagery:
Victorian newsprint style, modern soldiers, flags of the 8 nations, "orderly" lines vs. "chaotic" mobs.
05
Minutes
Phase 4: Gallery Walk & Exit
Students post their work. They rotate and must guess the audience for three posters that are NOT their own side. Close with the final reflection question on their worksheet.
Instructional Support
For Struggling Learners:
Provide a "Slogan Bank" (e.g., "Restore the Qing, Destroy the Foreigner" or "Unity for Civilization"). Allow students to trace printed symbols of the Eight Nations or traditional Chinese icons.
For Advanced Learners:
Encourage students to incorporate irony or satire into their propaganda, or to address the "Boxer Protocol" terms specifically in their call to action.
