Objectives:
- Explain the political impact of the Treaty of Versailles.
- Analyze the redrawing of the map of Europe.
Scene 1 — Engage
Student Activity
Students read background text about the end of World War I and view an image of Armistice Day in Paris. They watch World War 1 Explained: The Aftermath in Europe to gain an overview of the war’s consequences, then complete a two-column class table by posting what they know about the end of World War I and what they want to learn.
Teacher Moves
Introduce the lesson focus and objectives. Review student entries in the KW table without correcting misconceptions yet, and, if time permits at the end of the lesson, return to the table to confirm accurate understandings and address remaining questions.
Scene 2 — Explore and Explain 1: Political Treaties
Student Activity
Students view an image of President Woodrow Wilson and read about his diplomatic idealism and the context for his Fourteen Points. They watch Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points to learn the main ideas of his plan, then answer a multiple-select question identifying key components of the Fourteen Points. After reading about how the Fourteen Points related to the Treaty of Versailles and how the European Allies prioritized punishing Germany, students read an article on the Treaty of Versailles and create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting Wilson’s Fourteen Points and the Treaty of Versailles. Using their Venn diagrams, they post a prediction explaining how the Treaty of Versailles may have contributed to the outbreak of World War II.
Teacher Moves
Clarify the terms “reparations” and “sanctions” as needed. After students complete the Venn diagram and prediction wall, share an interesting or exemplary response with the class and use it to highlight that Wilson proposed a lasting peace agreement, while the European powers negotiated a punitive ceasefire that blamed Germany, imposed harsh reparations, and divided empires into unstable new states.
Scene 3 — Explore and Explain 2: Redrawing the Map
Student Activity
Students examine an image showing territorial changes in Europe after World War I. They watch Europe and nations, 1918-1942 and read How WWI Changed the Map of Europe to learn how treaties redistributed land and borders in Europe and how the Ottoman Empire was broken up into new mandate states in the Middle East. Drawing on this information and a quotation from Professor Stanislao Pugliese about borders and culture, students post an explanation of what Pugliese means and provide a historical example that illustrates his point.
Teacher Moves
Facilitate a brief discussion of student posts by sharing an interesting or exemplary answer and, if helpful, referencing sample examples such as Czechoslovakia, the post–Mexican-American War U.S.–Mexico border, the shifting borders of the Roman Empire, or the division of Korea to reinforce how borders are often drawn without regard to culture and politics.
Scene 4 — Elaborate
Student Activity
Students view an image of the Red Cross Motor Corps during the 1918 influenza epidemic and watch WWI—The Aftermath to connect World War I to broader global changes. They choose one of three topics—the League of Nations, the Spanish influenza pandemic, or the changing role of women in society—and use resources such as The League of Nations, 1920, The Spanish Influenza Pandemic: a lesson from history 100 years after 1918, or 12 Things You Didn't Know About Women In The First World War, or other reliable sources, to research their topic. Students post a brief description explaining how their topic was related to World War I and its impact on the postwar world order, then read classmates’ posts and respond to at least two with a question or positive comment.
Teacher Moves
Use the key takeaways to guide discussion: emphasize U.S. isolationism and the resulting weakness of the League of Nations; explain how the Spanish influenza pandemic was linked to wartime movements and led to advances in public health; and highlight how women’s wartime roles expanded their participation in the workforce and contributed to political gains such as women’s suffrage.
Scene 5 — Evaluate
Student Activity
Students complete the exit quiz by answering all the questions.
Teacher Moves
Facilitate the assessment and use student data to evaluate understanding, address misconceptions, and identify areas for growth.
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