Lesson on Friday, January 20th, 2017

Aim: How did Americans' disillusionment with World War I help shape U.S. foreign policy during the1920s? 

 Bell Ringer: Review Journal 47 – What were the economic effects of Germany after WWI?

Objectives:

1. Students will examine the impact of United States foreign economic policy during the 1920s.  

2. Students will describe efforts by the United States and other world powers to avoid future wars.

Agenda:

1. Bell Ringer (10 min) 

2. Finish Attachment B (10 min) 

3. Activity – SHEG Reading Like a Historian “League of Nations” Lesson: In this activity, students investigate why Congress rejected the League of Nations by comparing speeches delivered by Woodrow Wilson and Henry Cabot Lodge. Detailed instructions and excerpts of the speeches can be found here:  

http://sheg.stanford.edu/upload/V3LessonPlans/League%20of%20Nations%20Lesson% 20Plan.pdf  

  

Have students use the graphic organizer (Attachment C) to assist them in analyzing the speeches. (rest of class) 

 Mini-Lecture: End of WWI:  

• European Allies were furious with Germany after WWI and wanted a treaty that punished Germany and made them pay for the damage of the war.  

• President Wilson, instead, thought that the treaty should try to lay the groundwork to “end all wars;” for example, he didn’t think that the Allies should punish Germany too harshly or make a land-grab for German colonies.  

• Wilson drafted his plan, called the “Fourteen Points,” and brought it to Paris; the Fourteenth “point” was the establishment of a League of Nations—an international governing body that would try to resolve international differences and support democratic nations.  

• European nations rejected almost all of Wilson’s ideas, but they agreed to set up a League of Nations—this became part of the Treaty of Versailles.  

• But when Wilson returned to the U.S. and tried to get Congress to ratify the treaty, they refused, mostly because they opposed the League of Nations. Today, we’re going to try to figure out why many in Congress opposed the League of Nations. What are some possible reasons? Elicit student hypotheses and write on board. 

Possible arguments:  

Wilson would say:  

• Lodge is nationalistic and small-minded.  

• The U.S. needs to create global and international relations; must work together with other countries.  

• We need to try to prevent future wars. Lodge would say:  

• Wilson is really naïve.  

• The U.S. needs to take care of itself first.  

• There is no way that other nations are going to look out for American interests.

Home Learning: 1920s packet due on Wednesday, January 25, 2017