Lessons for Grades 11-12

Lesson Three: Canadian Hong Kong Veterans

Overview

Students investigate the treatment of Canadian Hong Kong prisoners of war and the war crimes committed by the Japanese Imperial Army. Students identify which international agreements were breached. They differentiate between civilian and military victims and make explicit the connection to Canada.


Teaching/Learning Strategies

Special Note: The video, Savage Christmas: Hong Kong 1941, is available in many libraries. It can be used with the activitiesas an alternative to using the print materials.
Note: We strongly recommend that teachers preview this video before presentation.


1. Students make explicit the connection to Canada as they investigate the treatment of Canadian prisoners of war in Hong Kong and the crimes against humanity committed by the Japanese Imperial Army.

- Provide students with copies of Handout 3.1 (Canadian Prisoners of War). Students can use the questions from Handout 3.2 (Response Guide for Canadian Prisoners of War) to make notes as they read the articles or view the excerpts you selected from the video.



2. Students differentiate between civilian and military victims as they identify which international agreements were breached.

-Tell students to refer to Handout 1.1 (War Crimes and International Law) to help them identify which international agreements were breached.

-Point out the differences in the laws regarding civilian and military prisoners.