Lesson Objectives
Get students thinking about the dynamics involved in the Treaty of Versailles and all the different competing goals that the treaty's signers had. Set up a class debate covering topics which include things such as how were the reparations and redistribution of German land justified, or was it? Should Germany have been allowed to have their say in the treaty? Overall, was it fair? How did competing goals of countries affect the outcome of the treaty? This will lead to eventually having students think about possible ramifications this treaty could have on future events both domestically and between the countries who signed.
Assessments
After the debate, have students write a paragraph or two outlining the demands discussed in class that were placed on Germany in the Treaty of Versailles. Include examples of the why the demands were perceived as fair or unfair to the country the student was representing. Use this to determine if students have paying attention to the debate and understood it.
Activating Strategy (5 minutes)
Show students a video introducing the topic of the Treaty of Versailles and get them focused on the interests of various countries involved in the treaty
High School Content Expectations
This lesson covers the high school World History and Geography 7.2 covering the end of WWI and moving into the interwar period. The lesson also touches on Social Studies Procedures and Skills such as Reading and Communication(P1), and Public Discourse and Decision Making(P3).
Teacher Activities-5 min. brief video reviewing treaty
Important point: Out of the major European powers, France and Germany had the most directly at stake in the treaty. Because of this, the debate we will have will focus on these two countries.
Later, teacher will mediate lecture, making sure to give equal time to each side and interjecting when necessary
Student Activities-Counting off 1-2, class is divided into 2 groups. One group will represent France’s perspective on the treaty. The other will represent the German perspective. Each of these perspectives will be from the countries’ respective leaders at the time of the document’s signing. They will debate on whether the treaty was fair to Germany or not. Preparation for the debate will take 20 min. The debate, itself will take 20 min, too. Each student will have to each make at least one point in the debate.
-Each group will be able to look at their textbook as well as the teacher’s WWI powerpoint presentation. This presentation will include the following helpful points:
-Causes of War
-German’s military buildup, desire for expansion
-Triple Alliance formation causes British, Russia, and France to form Triple Entente
-Assassination of Austria-Hungary Archduke Franz Ferdinand
-Austria-Hungary invasion of Serbia, allies are called on bringing major Euro. Powers into war
-brief overview of each country’s motives
-each group will be given documents pertaining to effects of the war on different European countries, including the following http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWdeaths.htm
-The French side will also be given a document on the French president’s perspective
http://www.johndclare.net/ToV_HALFisher.htm#Clemenceau
-The German side will be given a primary document, a German diplomat’s actual response to the treaty http://edsitement.neh.gov/sites/default/files/worksheets/GermanReply.pdf
Closure: Thank class for a good lecture. Reiterate the complexity of the debate and how different perspectives would have good arguments for their side of the debate. Add that other world powers affected and were affected by the treaty. This will be discussed next class.
Materials and Resources- powerpoints- multiple computers in classroom, textbooks, documents