Beyond the headlines: Kyrgyzstan

In this lesson, students research the recent history of the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan and explore its strategic significance for world powers.

A lesson plan for grades 9–12 Social Studies

By Jacqueline Olich

The Center for Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers teacher training, undergraduate education, graduate student and faculty research, exchange programs, conferences, seminars, and public outreach programs.

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Kyrgyzstan is a small, remote country, but political unrest there can complicate larger international issues.

In this lesson, students research the recent history of the former Soviet republic and explore its strategic significance for world powers. The lesson concludes with a role play in which students take the parts of American, Russian, and Chinese political analysts, and explain each country’s policy objectives in Kyrgyzstan.

Learning outcomes:

Students will:

• identify Kyrgyzstan and bordering nations on a map.
• learn about the history of Kyrgyzstan since the end of the Soviet Union.
• work with primary and secondary sources and identify different political perspectives.
• understand and explain Kyrgyzstan’s strategic importance for the United States, Russia, and China.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

Two to three block periods.

Handouts

Materials/resources needed

• The New York Times Kyrgyz News Page
• BBC Kyrgyzstan Country profile
• “1991: End of the Soviet Union,” Seventeen Moments in Soviet History
• EurasianNet (Kyrgyzstan)
• The Cold War International History Project (CWIHP) website
• International Crisis Groups
• Computers with internet access for all students (or one per small group)
• PowerPoint (optional)
• Brenda Shaffer, Energy Politics (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2009) (Note: Copies of Energy Politics are available for loan from the Center for Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies at UNC. Contact Dr. Jacqueline Olich for more information.)

Pre-activities

Before the activity, the class should be familiar with political and economic changes in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, especially Kyrgyzstan. They should also be familiar with changes in relations between Russia and the United States and Russia and China in the post-Cold War period.

Activities

1. Make a large map of Asia available, either on a desk, or online, and ask students to identify Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, the Chinese Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and Russia.
2. Point out that China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region shares a border with Kyrgyzstan. Remind students that Kyrgyzstan was also once a Soviet republic, and for Russians is still seen as a close connection.
3. Distribute the Kyrgyzstan Background and Resources handout for students to read.
4. Divide the class into three groups. Give each group their own Analyst handout (Russian Analyst, U.S. Analyst, or Chinese Analyst) with instructions.
5. Have each group research the sources on the Background handout and prepare and present a policy briefing on Kyrgyzstan from their country’s point of view.
6. After the presentations, discuss the importance of Kyrgyzstan for in international community. Student discussion should indicate understanding that the location, history, and ethnic identity of Kyrgyzstan connect the country in critical ways to powerful nations.

Assessment

Have students respond to another group’s presentation, asking questions and comparing each country’s goals in Kyrgyzstan. The student presentations and discussions should make clear how policy concerning Kyrgyzstan is connected to each country’s strategies for defense.

Modifications

Readings

Have advanced students read these articles:
Op-Ed: Kyrgyzstan: A Test for Mutual Security, The New York Times, June 16, 2010.
Ramakant Dwivedi, “China’s Central Asia Policy in Recent Times,” China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly, Volume 4, No. 4 (2006) p. 139-159

Assessment

Have advanced students summarize both the arguments and points of view of the authors in a short essay or PowerPoint, and present their findings to the class. Conclude with a general discussion about the importance of Central Asia for the United States and China.