The Treaty of Versailles Stations Activity Little History Monster 2018 The intent of this lesson is to expose students to a variety of topics in a short amount of time using fun and engaging methods. Each station of this NO PREP activity contains a description of one aspect of the Treaty of Versailles. After completing this lesson, students will understand the efforts for peace following the war, the main terms of the treaty, the formation of the League of Nations, and the consequences of the treaty. Students will examine each of the following topics: 1 – Armistice – The Great War Ends, 2 – Paris Peace Conference, 3 – President Wilson and the 14 Points, 4 – Terms of the Treaty, 5 – The League of Nations, 6 – Consequences of the Treaty. Each station contains a brief description, along with visually appealing photos and political cartoons. The lesson is easily adaptable to fit your teaching style. The following methods have proven to be the most successful in my classroom: 1. Hang the information sheets around the class and have students rotate to each sheet. - This is my favorite because it gets students up and moving. You can assign the worksheet that accompanies this activity, or simply have them summarize each topic as they rotate. 2. Split the students into groups and assign one sheet per group. Have the students read the information sheet and prepare to present the information to the rest of class. - I assign a number to each group member (number the first group, then start back at 1 for the next group, so that you have multiple 1’s, 2’s, etc. throughout the class) and after students have had adequate time to prepare I tell them all the 2’s are presenting. This method motivates students because they don’t know which group member is presenting until it is time to present. 3. Form groups of 6 and have the students pass around the information sheets. - I’ve found the best approach for this method is to give students a set amount of time and then have all students pass their sheets to the right when told. The versatility of this activity allows for several culminating assessments. Typically, once students have completed one of the methods above, I have them write a statement on how the Treaty could have been improved. Then, I conduct a debate in which students can defend their choice. Another option is to have students write a journal entry from the point of view of a German or American citizen following the formation of the treaty. I encourage them to include as much information from the stations as possible. I hope you and your students enjoy this activity. Please let me know if you have questions or concerns! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Little-History-Monster The Treaty of Versailles Stations Activity
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The Treaty of Versailles Stations Activity
Little History Monster 2018
The intent of this lesson is to expose students to a variety of topics in a short amount of time using fun and engaging
methods. Each station of this NO PREP activity contains a description of one aspect of the Treaty of Versailles. After
completing this lesson, students will understand the efforts for peace following the war, the main terms of the treaty,
the formation of the League of Nations, and the consequences of the treaty. Students will examine each of the
following topics: 1 – Armistice – The Great War Ends, 2 – Paris Peace Conference, 3 – President Wilson and the 14
Points, 4 – Terms of the Treaty, 5 – The League of Nations, 6 – Consequences of the Treaty. Each station contains a
brief description, along with visually appealing photos and political cartoons. The lesson is easily adaptable to fit your
teaching style. The following methods have proven to be the most successful in my classroom:
1. Hang the information sheets around the class and have students rotate to each sheet.
- This is my favorite because it gets students up and moving. You can assign the worksheet
that accompanies this activity, or simply have them summarize each topic as they rotate.
2. Split the students into groups and assign one sheet per group. Have the students read the
information sheet and prepare to present the information to the rest of class.
- I assign a number to each group member (number the first group, then start back at 1 for
the next group, so that you have multiple 1’s, 2’s, etc. throughout the class) and after
students have had adequate time to prepare I tell them all the 2’s are presenting. This
method motivates students because they don’t know which group member is presenting
until it is time to present.
3. Form groups of 6 and have the students pass around the information sheets.
- I’ve found the best approach for this method is to give students a set amount of time and
then have all students pass their sheets to the right when told.
The versatility of this activity allows for several culminating assessments. Typically, once students have completed
one of the methods above, I have them write a statement on how the Treaty could have been improved. Then, I
conduct a debate in which students can defend their choice. Another option is to have students write a journal entry
from the point of view of a German or American citizen following the formation of the treaty. I encourage them to
include as much information from the stations as possible.
I hope you and your students enjoy this activity. Please let me know if you have questions or concerns!
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Little-History-Monster
The Treaty of VersaillesStations Activity
1. Armistice: The Great War Ends
Little History Monster 2018
At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Great War ended. The war was ended by an armistice – an agreement to stop fighting. Germany, lacking manpower and supplies and facing an impending invasion, signed an armistice agreement giving victory to the Allies. The addition of American troops and resources helped to secure victory for the Allies.
World War I cost the lives of an estimated 16 million people, both military and civilian. Millions of civilians died from disease, starvation or exposure. Industries and farmlands lay in ruins. The most terrible war the world had experienced was over. It was up to the Allied Powers to make peace and determine the best course of action moving forward.
Allied and German leaders pose by the railway car in which the armistice was signed
Canadian newspaper following the armistice
Source: “The Treaty of Versailles.” Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-history/period-7/apush-us-in-WWI/a/the-treaty-of-Versailles.
2. Paris Peace Conference
Little History Monster 2018
The armistice of November 11, 1918 officially ended the fighting, but negotiations were still needed. Over thirty-two countries joined together in Paris to write peace treaties with the defeated nations. For six months participates worked to establish the terms of peace following the war.
Although dozens of countries were represented at the conference, representatives from four countries dominated the proceedings. The “Big Four” were the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Italy. Despite protests, the defeated Central Powers weren’t allowed to attend the negotiations. The “Big Four” had significant disagreements, but eventually the conference produced the Treaty of Versailles and established the League of Nations, an international peacekeeping organization.
The “Big Four” – from left to right, David Lloyd George of Britain, Vittorio Emanuele Orlando of Italy, Georges Clemenceau
of France, and Woodrow Wilson of the U.S.
Political cartoon showing the “Big Four” forcing their peace terms on Germany
Source: “The Paris Peace Conference.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, history.state.gov/milestones/1914-1920/paris-peace.
3. President Wilson and the 14 Points
Little History Monster 2018
President Woodrow Wilson represented the United States at the Paris Peace Conference. Wilson sought to establish lasting peace that was based on reconciliation. Several leaders wanted to punish those countries responsible for the war, but Wilson urged an agreement that would be fair to all nations. His list of proposals was called the Fourteen Points.
The Fourteen Points was a list of proposals by Wilson that focused on ensuring an immediate end to the war, and reducing future conflicts. Wilson’s plan called for an improvement of international relationships and insisted on global arms reduction. The last item of the Fourteen Points called for the creation of an international peacekeeping organization known as the League of Nations. Wilson thought the organization could prevent future conflicts through negotiations. Wilson’s Fourteen Points were immensely influential in modeling the postwar world.
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson
Political cartoon suggesting Germany must meet all of Wilson’s points to achieve peace.
Source: “The Treaty of Versailles.” Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-history/period-7/apush-us-in-WWI/a/the-treaty-of-Versailles.
4. Terms of the Treaty
Little History Monster 2018
Despite Wilson’s attempt to avoid punishment of any one nation, the final treaty enforced tremendously harsh conditions on Germany. Many countries in Europe, particularly France, demanded Germany be punished for the destruction its armies had caused.
The majority of fighting occurred in France, causing immense damage. French leaders wanted revenge. They pleaded that the only way to gain security and prevent Germany from attacking again was to reduce it’s power. France also demanded Germany pay reparations, or payments for war damages.
Front page of the Evening World
Germany buried by war debts
The final treaty contained several demands of Germany. The major terms said Germany had to: accept total responsibility for causing the war, give up some of its land, agree to pay the Allied nations billions of dollars in war reparations, and decrease the size of their military. Germany protested the harsh terms, but had to sign or face the possibility of an Allied invasion of their country.
Source: “The Treaty of Versailles.” Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-history/period-7/apush-us-in-WWI/a/the-treaty-of-Versailles.
5. The League of Nations
Little History Monster 2018
The League of Nations was established as part of the Treaty of Versailles. The organization served as an international peacekeeping organization. The goal of the League of Nations was to resolve international conflicts to prevent the outbreak of war.
Although U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proposed the idea of an international peacekeeping organization, the United States ended up not joining the League of Nations. In fact, the U.S. did not sign the Treaty of Versailles. The U.S. Senate has the power to approve or reject any treaty regarding foreign countries. The U.S. Senate refused to approve the treaty because many feared joining the League of Nations may drag the U.S. into a future conflict. Many Americans wanted to return to a foreign policy of isolationism.
Political cartoon of the League of Nations
Political cartoon showing the U.S. as the missing piece to the League of Nations “bridge”
The League of Nations achieved several positive contributions, such as helping to end slavery in parts of the world. As intended, the organization effectively resolved international conflicts, but failed to prevent the events that led to World War II.
Source: “The Treaty of Versailles.” Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-history/period-7/apush-us-in-WWI/a/the-treaty-of-Versailles.
6. Consequences of the Treaty
Little History Monster 2018
The Treaty of Versailles sought to bring peace following the most terrible war the world had experienced. The Treaty was successful short-term, but caused lingering issues that contributed to the outbreak of the Second World War.
Germany was harshly punished by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was forced to accept blame for the war and had to pay huge war reparations to the Allied Powers. The German people were humiliated. Despite protesting the treaty, Germany had no choice but to agree to its terms.
As a result of the treaty, Germany was financially ruined. The country fell into a deep economic depression, adding to the embarrassment of the German people. Some historians believe the difficult terms of the treaty led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party, which capitalized on German anger towards the unforgiving burdens enforced by the Allied Powers following the First World War.
A rabbit representing the League of Nations is threatened by a snake representing international strife.
The Nazi party crawling out of the Treaty of Versailles
Source: “The Treaty of Versailles.” Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-history/period-7/apush-us-in-WWI/a/the-treaty-of-Versailles.
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