Individual Assignment-Write an essay over the Treaty of Versailles and the causes of World War II.
To have students understand the origins of World War II, while exercising their writing skills. Comparing and contrasting multiple author's views on the same subject is also a valuable analytical tool.
- Practice their writing skills
- Write an analysis on differing historical interpretations of the same subject
- Learn about the Treaty of Versailles and the effect it had on the Post-WWI world
MISSOURI STANDARDS
2. Continuity and change in the history of Missouri, the United States and the world
6. Relationships of the individual and groups to institutions and cultural traditions
Kansas Standards
Benchmark 3: The student uses a working knowledge and understanding of individuals, groups, ideas, developments, and turning points of the Era of World War (1914-1945).
1. (A) analyzes the causes and immediate consequences of WWI (e.g., imperialism rivalries: Triple Entente, Triple Alliance, nationalism, arms race in England, France, and Germany; Treaty of Versailles, reparations, War Guilt Clause).
Benchmark 5: The student engages in historical thinking skills.
1. (A) analyzes a theme in world history to explain patterns of continuity and change over time.
2. (A) develops historical questions on a specific topic in world history and analyzes the evidence in primary source documents to speculate on the answers.
3. (A) uses primary and secondary sources about an event in world history to develop a credible interpretation of the event, forming conclusions about its meaning (e.g., use provided primary and secondary sources to interpret a historical-based conclusion).
Winston S. Churchill, The Second World War: The Gathering Storm. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1948. Excerpt, "The Follies of the Victors,"pp. 3-18.
John Maynard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace. New York: Harcourt, 1920. Excerpt, "The Treaty Dooms Germany to Poverty and Starvation."
A.J.P. Taylor, The Origins of the Second World War. 2nd ed. New York: Penguin Books, 1991. Excerpt, "The Legacy of the First World War,"pp.41-65.
Margaret MacMillan, Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World. New York: Random House, 2001. Excerpt, "The Hall of Mirrors," pp. 478-83.
None
Computer Access/Microsoft Word
In an essay of 600 to 1,000 words, compare and contrast the below articles’ analysis of the extent to which the Treaty of Versailles led to the coming of World War II:
Winston S. Churchill, The Second World War: The Gathering Storm. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1948. Excerpt, "The Follies of the Victors,"pp. 3-18.
John Maynard Keynes, The Economic Consequences of the Peace. New York: Harcourt, 1920. Excerpt, "The Treaty Dooms Germany to Poverty and Starvation."
A.J.P. Taylor, The Origins of the Second World War. 2nd ed. New York: Penguin Books, 1991. Excerpt, "The Legacy of the First World War,"pp.41-65.
Margaret MacMillan, Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World. New York: Random House, 2001. Excerpt, "The Hall of Mirrors," pp. 478-83.
Half of the essay grade (30 of 60 points) will be on mechanics:
Thesis and conclusion (6 points)
Grammar and punctuation (6 points)
Organization and structure (18 points)
Half (30 of 60 points) of the essay grade will be based on the essay’s accurate analysis of differing historical interpretations of the extent to which the Treaty of Versailles did or did not lead to World War II. Grading for analysis will be as follows:
A essay: Essay acknowledges nuances of historical interpretations (e.g. Treaty of Versailles was not as crippling as once believed but a boon to Nazi propaganda; treaty reflects traditional balance-of-power politics).
B essay: Essay acknowledges differing interpretations in the articles without picking up on nuances.
C essay: Analysis interprets one article correctly but not the other or analysis attempts to state the articles have the same point of view.
D or F essay: Reflects incomplete or inaccurate interpretation of articles.