Proclamation Inciting a Jewish Pogrom (1903)
Analyze an antisemitic document from 1903 to understand how the lie that Jews killed Jesus was used to incite violence against Jews.
Wisconsin Academic Standard: Geog3.a: Distribution of Resources
Distribution of Resources
Lesson Plan
War Guilt Clause
Students will learn about the War Guilt Clause added to the Treaty of Versailles.
Enduring Understanding
As part of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was forced to sign the War Guilt Clause, taking full responsibility for starting World War I. Germans bitterly resented this addition to the treaty.
Essential Question
- 1How was German aggression in World War II a response to Germany’s feelings of humiliation at the end of World War I?
Readiness
Teacher's Note
This short lesson on the Treaty of Versailles would best be paired with a lesson on Weimar Germany.
Explain to students that World War I was known to be the most destructive war the world had seen. It ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in June 1918.
Share this image by Facing History and Ourselves with your students. What can you gather from this picture?
Input
Direct students to the resource ‘Treaty of Versailles: The War Guilt Clause’ by Facing History and Ourselves.
Explain to the class that in addition to taking full responsibility for the war, Germany would have to pay heavy reparations, had considerable territory losses, and was required to dramatically reduce their military.
Output
As a class, discuss the following questions:
- What is the significance of Germany taking the responsibility for starting World War I?
- How do you think the resentment in signing the War Guilt Clause played into the rise of Nazism?
Wisconsin Academic Standards
This lesson meets the following Academic Standards required by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Teacher Primer
Know Before You Go
Before you teach, use our teacher primer to freshen up on your content knowledge.
Lesson Plan
Mock Paris Peace Conference
Students will simulate the negotiations done during the Paris Peace Conference. This activity will help students to understand the challenge faced when negotiating terms after World War I.
Enduring Understanding
The different players of the Paris Peace Conference all had their own agendas and ideas on repercussions.
Essential Question
- 1Is it possible to negotiate terms that everyone can be pleased with?
Readiness
Teacher's Note
Prior to this lesson students should have a general knowledge and understanding of World War I. If not, please go back to one of the lessons on WWI to prepare students for this lessons.
Open up the lesson with this simple activity: Imagine you have to split one pizza among four people. One person is gluten free, one is a vegetarian, one is allergic to olives, and the other LOVES meat. How do you compromise? What kind of pizza can you order that everyone could agree to?
You may want to draw a pizza on the board and have students raise their hands with options for crust and toppings.
Input
Teacher's Note
Mock trials and simulations are appropriate for this topic as it does not place students in the role of victim or perpetrator. In other lessons on the Holocaust, we caution against using simulations and role play activities.
Explain to the class that they will be divided into three groups in order to simulate the negotiations for the Paris Peace Conference. This document will provide the three groups with the information they will need in order to speak on behalf of either France, Britain, or the United States.
Divide the class into three groups and assign them to be France, Britain, or the US. Ask the students to read the materials for their country to understand where they stand in the negotiations.
Output
The worksheets that will be used below can be found on the Treaty of Versailles Simulation resource.
Provide students with the Options for Negotiation (page 4) so they are able to see what their options are during the negotiations.
It would be beneficial if you can arrange the classroom in a manner that would allow the three groups to converse openly during the negotiations, such as forming a giant circle with all chairs facing towards the center.
As the teacher you will be the one facilitating the negotiations. Using the Options for Negotiation (page 4), ask the first question to the class as a point for negotiation. You may not have time to go over every question so read them through and pick out which ones you find the most suited for your class. Provide students with the Negotiation Worksheet (page 5) to record the terms of agreement they were able to come up with.
Wisconsin Academic Standards
This lesson meets the following Academic Standards required by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Teacher Primer
Know Before You Go
Before you teach, use our teacher primer to freshen up on your content knowledge.