This document discusses the territorial disputes negotiated at the Treaty of Versailles. It outlines the positions of France, Britain, Italy and others on territories such as Alsace-Lorraine, the Rhineland, colonies in Africa, and the Polish Corridor. Students are assigned countries and must negotiate to reach agreements on the status of these disputed territories. Options considered include permanent control, independence, holding plebiscites, and mandates under the League of Nations. The activity aims to have students experience the complex compromise needed at Versailles.

1. Starter France Britain Italy Russia Alsace-Lorraine Rhineland Switzerland Austria Czechslovakia Poland Polish corridor

2. Starter France Britain Italy Russia Alsace-Lorraine Rhineland Switzerland Austria Czechslovakia Poland Polish corridor

3. Learning outcomes By the end of the lesson you will have….. Debated the terms of the Treaty of Versailles

4. Task 1 You need to get into groups as follows….

5. THE SCRAP OVER TERRITORY AT VERSAILLES! Discussion Points (re-cap):  What did each of the Big Three aim for generally?  What do you think they would therefore want with regard to territory? Make it a mandate under direct control of the League so that everyone can use it as a sea-route. Have a plebiscite to see what they want in the area Give it to Poland to allow the country access to the sea P olish Corridor A strip of land which would give Poland access to the sea, but split Germany into two sections. Return it to France Have a plebiscite to see if it wants to be French or German Turn it into an independent state A lsace-Lorraine Taken from France in 1870 Turn it into an independent State Make it a “ Mandate ” of the League, under French control. Demilitarise it permanently, but leave it as part of Germany R hineland The border area between Germany and France, heavily defended. Make them “ Mandates ” – divide them between the winners, who rule them under supervision of the League. Have plebiscites in each one to see if they want independence Give them all to Britain C olonies Mainly in Africa, cause of great rivalry with GB. Give it to France Give it to France for 15 years, then a plebiscite Have a plebiscite to allow the inhabitants self-determination. S aar Rich iron-producing area, the industrial heartland of Germany. C B A

6. THE SCRAP OVER TERRITORY AT VERSAILLES! Discussion Points (re-cap):  What did each of the Big Three aim for generally?  What do you think they would therefore want with regard to territory? “ To what extent do you agree that the decisions reached by the Big 3 with relation to territory were a sensible compromise?”: Answer the above question by completing the following two sentences using as many key words as you can. In some respects, the decisions reached at Versailles about territory were a sensible compromise. Firstly, ??? was a sensible decision because ???. Secondly, …??? In other respects, however, the decisions reached regarding territory cannot be regarded as a sensible compromise. For example, ??? was not a sensible compromise because ???. Similarly, …??? Consolidation • Once the role-play negotiations have finished, each member of the class will read out their score. • Your teacher will then tell you what decisions were eventually reached – keep a score of how many your group of three got right! Discussion point: What issues were the most controversial? ??? ??? Self-Determination ??? ??? Mandate ??? ??? Plebiscite Example Definition

7. THE SCRAP OVER TERRITORY AT VERSAILLES! Discussion Points (re-cap):  What did each of the Big Three aim for generally?  What do you think they would therefore want with regard to territory? As you read through the SCRAP sheet in your groups, you have to decide which option your chosen country will go for at the Treaty. EACH member of the group must then write down this option, onto a separate sheet of paper under the five headings….as you will have to go to a new group to argue your case!

8. THE SCRAP OVER TERRITORY AT VERSAILLES! Discussion Points (re-cap):  What did each of the Big Three aim for generally?  What do you think they would therefore want with regard to territory? Once you have all 5 points. You have to come to a group decision , and RANK, the choices in order of 1 = Lowest priority 5 = Highest priority

9. THE SCRAP OVER TERRITORY AT VERSAILLES! Discussion Points (re-cap):  What did each of the Big Three aim for generally?  What do you think they would therefore want with regard to territory? NEW GROUPS – You will now be in a new group of 3 – representing your country at the Treaty talks. You now have to come to a group decision – democratically – in order to see what will be done in the SCRAP * A 2-1 majority is ok *

10. THE SCRAP OVER TERRITORY AT VERSAILLES! Discussion Points (re-cap):  What did each of the Big Three aim for generally?  What do you think they would therefore want with regard to territory? Debrief of groups – what outcomes did we come to…

11. THE SCRAP OVER TERRITORY AT VERSAILLES! Discussion Points (re-cap):  What did each of the Big Three aim for generally?  What do you think they would therefore want with regard to territory? So, what should be the question you’re wanting to ask now?

12. THE SCRAP OVER TERRITORY AT VERSAILLES! Discussion Points (re-cap):  What did each of the Big Three aim for generally?  What do you think they would therefore want with regard to territory? What actually happened at the Treaty?