Versailles Deliberation

Homework: (allow 2-3 days) I used two articles from the Taking Sides series. I assigned the articles for homework. If you don’t have the Taking Sides book I have included the citation info for how to access them via databases.

Articles:

Mazower, Mark. “Two Cheers for Versailles.” History Today. 49.7 (July 1999): 8. Student Resource Center-Bronze. Gale.

Aldcroft, Derek. “The Versailles Legacy.” History Review n29 (Dec 1997 n29): 8 (6). Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale.

Class Period 1: I spent an entire 50 minute class period reviewing the main points of the articles with the students (“Two Cheers for Versailles” is particularly hard for students to understand).

Class Period 2: Deliberation, steps for deliberation are listed below. I also passed out Handout 1. Handout 2 was assigned for homework.

**This lesson has been classroom tested. Most students support position A that Versailles caused WWII, however, the deliberation process encouraged some very thoughtful commentary on both sides of the issues. It was a great “between the wars” activity.

Deliberation Instructions

1.  Group students into small groups of 4 or 5

2.  Group members should share important facts and interesting ideas with each other to develop a common understanding of the articles (see first part of handout 1)

3.  Post the deliberation question on the board (Did the Treaty of Versailles Cause WWII?) Divide students in each group into 2 teams.

4.  Assign each team a side (support or oppose) and ask them as a pair to list the most compelling reasons for their argument. Each tam should fill out the appropriate side of the chart on handout 1. Note teams do not communicate with the opposite team in their group while developing their reasons.

5.  When each team has completed task four: tell students that each team will present the most compelling reasons to support or oppose the deliberation question to their group. Other group members should listen carefully (they will reverse positions) and take notes to complete the chart on hand out 1. They may only ask clarification questions.

6.  When each team has shared their position with their smaller group, have them reverse roles. Each team should select the other team’s most compelling reasons for their position and restate them in their own words. If they feel as though the team has left out any critical information they may also include it at this point.

7.  Have students drop their team roles and deliberate as a group. Each group needs to come up with a consensus on whether or not they support or oppose the deliberation question.

8.  If time permits reconvene as a class to discuss the question.

9.  Handout 2 is assigned as an informal chance for students to review the lesson.

Deliberation Guide

What Is Deliberation?

·  Deliberation (meaningful discussion) is the focused exchange of ideas and the analysis of arguments with the aim of making a decision.

Why Are We Deliberating?

·  Citizens must be able and willing to express and exchange ideas among themselves, with community leaders, and with their representatives in government. Citizens and public officials in a democracy need skills and opportunities to engage in civil public discussion of controversial issues in order to make informed policy decisions. Deliberation requires keeping an open mind, as this skill enables citizens to reconsider a decision based on new information or changing circumstances.

What Are the Rules for Deliberation?

• Read the material carefully.

• Focus on the deliberation question.

• Listen carefully to what others are saying.

• Check for understanding.

• Analyze what others say.

• Speak and encourage others to speak.

• Refer to the reading to support your ideas.

• Use relevant background knowledge, including life experiences, in a logical way.

• Use your heart and mind to express ideas and opinions.

• Remain engaged and respectful when controversy arises.

• Focus on ideas, not personalities.

Review the Reading

Determine the most important facts and/or interesting ideas and write them below.

Pick the top 3 most important from each article.

1.  ______

2.  ______

3.  ______

4.  ______

5.  ______

6.  ______

Deliberation Question: Did The Treaty of Versailles cause World War II?

Learning the Reasons

Reasons to support the Deliberation Question (Team A) / Reasons to oppose the Deliberation Question (Team B)

My Personal Position: On this sheet of paper, write a paragraph in which you support your own opinion. You must address the most compelling reasons for EACH side of the argument and explain why your perspective best answers whether or not the Treaty of Versailles caused World War II.

______