The Big Four |
Please note this project is a modification and addition to the following resources:
Mr McDonald, http://www.SchoolHistory.co.uk
Edsitement, http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=424
Project Instructions
Project due: Tuesday, November 23
Create a file on the school network in your "My Documents" file: Create a folder with your name and mine. Save you project to the newly created folder.
Differing Perspectives Concerning the Treaty of Versailles
Introduction
Scenario
- 11th November 1918, 1100hrs - the war to end all wars have ended!
- 7,849,000 soldiers lay dead in the fields of Europe - a generation wiped out by bombs, bullets and gas.
- The Allied powers meet to decide on the key points surrounding the First World War. They were to decide who caused the war, who is to pay and what is to become of Germany, Austria and Europe as a whole.
Although at the postwar peace talks President Woodrow Wilson wished above all to prevent future wars, the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended World War I, is widely considered to have contributed to the rise to power of the Nazi party in Germany.
By studying photos and information concerning the devastation and atrocities each country experienced, you will attempt to understand the perspective of each country coming to Paris to participate in the Treaty of Versailles. Why was France and Britain wanting to punish Germany but President Wilson was not?
Was the Treaty of Versailles a legitimate and justified attempt by the victorious powers to ensure that Germany would never again pose a military threat?
Or did the Treaty, as the Nazis and many other politicians in Germany claimed, place an unfair and unnecessarily punitive burden on Germany?
By studying a variety of primary sources, and supporting documents concerning the post-war peace process, you will develop a context for evaluating whether the treaty was a viable, fair one, and for considering some of the complex questions this issue raises about the historical causality and responsibility of the war.
Create a PowerPoint or Movie Maker Presentation
In your presentation, you will gather information and evidence to be able to answer the questions in your handout.
For example: Why did different countries come to the peace talks with different motives?
Process--click on the following link if you misplaced the handout you were given in class. You will need to have Adobe Reader in order to view it.
PowerPoint Example of What Your Project Should Look Like
Sources you will need to complete your assignment:
A) Title slide--Title of your project, your name, class period, date
No resources needed
B) Sub title page: Statistics
C) Sub title page:Physical Toll of Countries and People Photos
Great British Photos
British homes, roads, bridges, etc destroyed or damaged
Destruction of British Businesses
How British Civilians Were Adversely Affected
How British Troops Were Adversely Affected
WW 1 British Veterans Who Continued to Suffer After the War
Great French Photos
French homes, roads, bridges, etc destroyed or damaged in WW1
Destruction of French Businesses and Churches
How French Civilians Were Adversely Affected
How French Troops Were Adversely Affected
WW 1 French Veterans Who Continued to Suffer After the War
D) Subtitle page: Poison Gas
E) Subtitle page: "Treaty of Versailles Analysis"
United States
What major points did President Wilson want to include in the Treaty of Versailles?
Woodrow Wilson's Perspective (United States)
What was Wilson's goal? Is it reflected in the Treaty of Versailles?
France
What major points did Prime Minister Clemenceau want to include in the Treaty of Versailles?
Georges Clemenceau's Perspective (France)
What was Clemenceau's goal? Is it reflected in the Treaty of Versailles?
Great Britain
What major points did Prime Minister George want to include in the Treaty of Versailles?
Lloyd George's Perspective (United Kingdom)
What was George's goal? Is it reflected in the Treaty of Versailles?
F) Subtitle page: Germany's Reaction to the Treaty of Versailles
By reviewing your research, answer the questions in your handout.
Scroll half way down the page, read: "Collapse," "Hard Times," "Treaty of Versailles," and "An Uneasy Peace".
G) Subtitle page: Versailles Political Cartoons