Asia High School Questions
Help students understand Asia through these essay and discussion questions.
Questions
- Compare and contrast the colonial experiences of the various countries in the region. How have those differing histories shaped these countries’ politics, societies, and economies today?
- What foreign policy goals has the United States pursued in Asia? How have they changed over time?
- How has Chinese history shaped China’s ambitions today? Consider the “century of humiliation,” the legacy of the communist revolution, and the status of Taiwan.
- How would you describe contemporary China’s foreign policy ambitions? How do you think the United States should respond? Why?
- How would you summarize China’s regional aspirations? How is it working to achieve those goals?
- How strong is democracy in the region as a whole? Why is it thriving in some countries while backsliding in others?
- How is nationalism shaping the politics of countries in Asia?
- How would you assess the success of regional organizations in Asia such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)?
- India and China have two of the largest and most dynamic economies in the region. Compare and contrast what makes their economies so strong.
- Asia is by far the world’s most populous region and contains the world’s two most populous countries. In what ways has population growth been a boon? In what ways has it made life more difficult?
- How have social and cultural differences brought challenges to countries in Asia? What are these countries doing to navigate these issues?