Download Treaty of Versailles Reading Packet for Socratic

Name
Period:
Was the Treaty of Versailles peace
settlement a success or failure?
(History 4.2.3) Analyzes and evaluates how technology and ideas have
shaped world history.
(Social Studies Skills 5.3.1) Evaluates one’s own viewpoint and the
viewpoints of others in the context of a discussion
Date of Socratic Seminar:
Pre-Assignment:
1. Read the articles “The Treaty of Versailles Success or Failure?” (MARK THE TEXT) (25% of grade)
2. Complete the Following Chart: (25% of grade)
Failure: How the treaty failed.
Success: How the treaty worked well.
(At least 5)
(At least 5)
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Socratic Seminar Participant Rubric
Conduct
Speaking
&
Reasoning
Listening
Reading
Excellent (4)
Proficient (3)
Demonstrates respect for
the learning process; has
patience with different
opinions and complexity;
shows initiative by asking
others for clarification:
brings others into the
conversation, moves the
conversation forward;
speaks to all of the
participants; avoids talking
too much.
Generally shows
composure but may
display impatience
with contradictory or
confusing ideas;
comments, but does
not necessarily
encourage others to
participate; may tend
to address only the
teacher or get into
debates.
Participates and expresses a
belief that his/her ideas are
important in understanding
the text; may make insightful
comments but is either too
forceful or too shy and does
not contribute to the progress
of the conversation; tends to
debate, not dialogue.
Understands question
before answering; cites
evidence from text;
expresses thoughts in
complete sentences; move
conversation forward;
makes connections
between ideas; resolves
apparent contradictory
ideas; considers others’
viewpoints, not only
his/her own; avoids bad
logic.
Responds to questions
voluntarily; comments
show an appreciation
for the text but not an
appreciation for the
subtler points within
it; comments are
logical but not
connected to other
speakers; ideas
interesting enough
that others respond to
them.
Responds to questions but
may have to be called upon
by others; has read the text
but not put much effort into
preparing questions and ideas
for the seminar; comments
take details into account but
may not flow logically in
conversation.
Pays attention to details;
writes down questions;
responses take into account
all participants;
demonstrates that he/she
has kept up; points out
faulty logic respectfully;
overcomes distractions.
Generally pays
attention and responds
thoughtfully to ideas
and questions of other
participants and the
leader; absorption in
own ideas may
distract the participant
from the ideas of
others.
Has read the text and
comes with some
ideas from it but these
may not be written
out in advance; good
understanding of the
vocabulary but may
mispronounce some
new or foreign words.
Appears to find some ideas
unimportant while
responding to others; may
have to have questions or
confusions repeated due to
inattention; takes few notes
during the seminar in
response to ideas and
comments.
Appears uninvolved
in the seminar;
comments display
complete
misinterpretation of
questions or
comments of other
participants.
Appears to have read or
skimmed the text but has not
marked the text or made
meaningful notes or
questions; shows difficulty
with vocabulary;
mispronounces important
words; key concepts
misunderstood; little
evidence of serious reflection
prior to the seminar.
Student is
unprepared for the
seminar; important
words, phrases, ideas
in the text are
unfamiliar; no notes
or questions marked
in the text; no
attempt made to get
help with difficult
material.
Thoroughly familiar with
the text; has notations and
questions in the margins;
key words, phrases, and
ideas are highlighted;
possible contradictions
identified; pronounces
words correctly. (You must
mark the text! )
Approaching Standard (2)
2
Minimal Evidence
(1)
Displays little respect
for the learning
process;
argumentative; takes
advantage of minor
distractions; uses
inappropriate
language; speaks to
individuals rather
than ideas; arrives
unprepared without
notes, pencil/pen or
perhaps even without
the text.
Extremely reluctant
to participate even
when called upon;
comments illogical
and meaningless;
may mumble or
express incomplete
ideas; little or no
account taken of
previous comments
or important ideas in
the text.
Was the Treaty of Versailles peace
settlement a success or failure?
...Socratic Seminar Discussion Questions
History is full of debatable positions and controversy. During the Socratic seminar you will be
required to participate directly in at least one of the following discussions and take notes on the
rest. You will have the opportunity to give indirect feedback on all of these topics and to discuss
topics you are most passionate about. Keep these ideas and questions in mind as you read and
prepare.
**Remember you will be scored on your ability to analyze and critique these controversial ideas
with historical logic and support from the reading, not what you opinion is about them.
1. What where the most important benefits of the Treaty of Versailles?
Use examples to support your thinking. Explain.
2. What where the negative aspects of the Treaty of Versailles?
Use examples to support your thinking. Explain.
3. Which country or countries influenced the terms of the treaty the most?
Use examples to support your thinking. Explain.
4. Why do you think the treaty lasted less than 20 years?
Use examples to support your thinking. Explain.
5. Which terms of the treaty were most detrimental for Germany?
Use examples to support your thinking. Explain.
6. If all nations had bought into the League of Nations, would it have prevented WWII?
Use examples to support your thinking. Explain.
The BIG picture: Was the Treaty of Versailles a success or failure?
Use examples to support your thinking. Explain.
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The Treaty of Versailles: Success or Failure?
When the Great War (World War I) finally ended in 1918, the leaders of the victorious
Allies gathered in Paris to arrange the peace. The final treaty was signed at the Palace of Versailles,
near Paris, and thus it is called the Treaty of Versailles.
The Treaty of Versailles adjusted the boundaries of several nations in Western Europe,
disarmed Germany and forced the Germans to pay for the cost of the war. It also established an
international organization, the League of Nations, to help keep the peace in the future. Three
related treaties with German allies in Eastern Europe also created a number of new nations in what
had been the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In creating new states and adjusting national boundaries, the leaders had several things in
mind. Their main intent was to allow self-determination for every national group in Europe. They
also wanted to draw boundaries that would ensure each nation’s security. With the exception of
Woodrow Wilson, most of the leaders hoped to create a new “balance of power” like the one that
had kept Europe at peace after the Congress of Vienna in 1815.
Despite their hopes, the peace established at Versailles fell apart in just twenty years.
Within fifteen years, both Germany and Italy were led by fascist dictators bent on aggression. In
1939, another Great War (World War II) broke out. Why had the peace failed? Did the agreements
reached at Versailles help pave the way to World War II.
In this lesson, you will be looking at the goals each nation sought to achieve at Versailles.
You will be asked to compare these goals with the actual terms of the Treaty. Finally, you will be
asked to judge whether or not the Treaty of Versailles led to World War II.
The Goals of the Diplomats
France The war on the Western Front had been fought mainly on French soil and much of
the eastern part of that nation had been destroyed. France wanted to insure that it would never
again be attacked by Germany. She wanted a territory called Alsace-Lorraine that Germany had
taken after a war in 1870 returned to her control. France also wanted her national economy
rebuilt.
Great Britain British Prime Minister Lloyd George said that Germany should pay for the
war. He said, “We shall squeeze the orange until the pip (pits) squeak.” Britain also wanted to
ensure control of the seas and its status as a global, not just European power.
United States Woodrow Wilson was an idealist who believed that World War I would be
the “war to end all wars.” In his Fourteen Points, he called for a system of world security and the
creation of new nations formed according to the wills of their people. Generally, he favored a
lenient peace settlement for Germany and wanted no land reparations from that country.
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Germany Germany had no voice in writing the Versailles Treaty, but was still a party to it.
The German government hoped for a fair peace settlement. They did not want to lose large
amounts of territory. More than anything else, they wanted to keep their “self respect.” Most
Germans did not think they alone were responsible for starting the war.
The Terms of the Treaty
Territorial Provisions In all, Germany lost more than ten percent of the land on the
continent of Europe that she had held before the war. Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France.
German territory in the east such as Danzig, was given to the new nation of Poland. In addition,
Britain took control of all German colonies overseas.
Military Provisions Germany was essentially disarmed. Its army was limited to 100,000
men. It was not allowed to have military airplanes, tanks or artillery. They navy was destroyed. In
the future, the German navy was limited to no more than twelve warships and no submarines.
The Rhineland, an area between the Rhine River and France, was demilitarized and made into a
neutral buffer zone. No German fortifications were permitted there.
Political Provisions Article 231 said that Germany and her allies were aggressors in the
war and must accept “responsibility… for causing all the loss and damage to which the Allies…
and their nationals have been subjected as a consequence of the war.” The Treaty also called for
the establishment of a League of Nations through which the nations of the world might work
together to provide for their collective security in the future.
Economic Provisions Germany was forced to pay war reparations to the Allies amounting
to about five billion dollars over the next few years. In addition, France was given control of the
Saar for fifteen years. The Saar is a region rich in coal and iron. Its resources helped the French
rebuild their economy. Similarly, large portions of the German merchant and fishing fleets were
turned over to the allies along with large numbers of railway locomotives and freight cars.
Germany also had to deliver coal to France and Belgium and pay for French troops protecting the
demilitarized Rhineland.
Related Treaties Covering Eastern Europe In a related set of treaties with Germany’s
allies, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Bulgaria, a number of new nations were formed in
Eastern Europe. The treaty makers tried to include each national group in Eastern Europe in its
own nation, but that proved impossible. Still, the leaders tried to form nations with firm
boundaries, based as much as possible on a common language, ethnic identity and religion.
1. Directions: On the lines to the left below, indicate the goals which each of the countries listed
hoped to achieve through the Treaty of Versailles. On the lines to the right of each goal,
indicate whether that goal was achieved and which provisions of the treaty had a bearing on
it. When you have finished, answer the questions.
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Key Aspects of the Treaty
Key Country Goals (What they Wanted)
Treaty Provision (What each Country got)
France
1.
France
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
Great Britain
1.
Great Britain
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
United States
1.
United States
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
Germany
1.
Germany
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
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Questions for Review and Interpretation
2.
Were the goals of any of the Allied Nations (Britain, France, and United States) not achieved in the final Treaty?
If so, which goals were not achieved? Do you think the failure to achieve these goals significantly weakened the
peace?
3.
Did the German government achieve its goals in the final Treaty? Which goals were not achieved? How do you
think the failure to achieve these goals affected the stability of peace?
4.
How did the Treaty try to provide security of European nations?
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Read the “Two Views of the Versailles Treaty” below. After you have read it, Question 5 will ask you to decide which
view you agree with the most, and you will write a short paragraph explaining your choice.
Two Views of the Versailles Treaty
Critics of Versailles Since 1919, many people have argued that the terms of the Versailles Treaty made
World War II virtually inevitable. While the Allies were for the most part satisfied with the Peace established at
Versailles, most Germans were not. Germans believed that the reparations were unjust and far too high. Many
thought it was absurd that the Allies stripped so many economic resources from Germany at the same time they
demanded cash reparations. How were they to pay!
Because it was virtually stripped of its military, many Germans also believed that the Treaty failed to
establish a real balance of power in Western Europe. Germany went from being a world power, with a mighty army,
a navy and an overseas colonial empire, to being defenseless and partially occupied. Under those conditions, there
could be no true balance of power.
The overall impression given the German people was of a harsh peace in which they had been weakened
and made to feel guilty for something they had not done. A rising politician named Adolf Hitler made the most of this
discontent. Upon coming to power in 1933, Hitler overturned most provisions of the Treaty and began to edge the
world into another global war.
A Positive View It can also be argued that despite its flaws, the Treaty of Versailles in no way made a future
war inevitable.
In reality, German reparation payments were not all that severe, and the German economy was fully
capable of making them. The amount of the reparations was no higher than the amount Hitler later spent arming
Germany for war.
Furthermore, the Versailles Treaty, and every other treaty signed after World War I, built a legacy of respect
for all nations including Germany. These Treaties formally recognized the principle of national self-determination for
all peoples. The Treaty left Germany intact and it left it with a democratic government.
By disarming Germany, the Versailles Treaty created a situation in which war in Europe was literally
unthinkable. The real cause of World War II was the failure of the Allied Powers, in particular France and Britain, to
preserve the Versailles framework. If Germany had remained disarmed or if the Rhineland had remained
demilitarized, and Czechoslovakia, on Germany’s southeastern border, had been kept strong, Hitler could never have
advanced. Even though the Germans were unhappy with some of the provisions of the Treaty, another war pitting
Germany against the Allies would have been impossible.
With Which View Do You Agree?
5.
When you have decided which view you most support, write a paragraph explaining your reasoning.
A Question for Further Thought
6.
What could the leaders who wrote the Treaty of Versailles have done to make it better, that is, to make sure it
provided a basis for keeping European nations secure at peace with each other?
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