A Tideway Community School Historical Webquest

CURSE OF THE PHANTOM

Student Page

A WebQuest for the Ghostbusters of Year 10 GCSE History / Miss Preece

(Based on an idea by Jin Tai Sec Sapphire)

Introduction | Students | Learning | Tasks | Resources | Marking | Conclusion

email : tidewayschool@aol.com

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Introduction

The phantom of the Treaty of Versailles continued to haunt Germany.

The ghosts of the Big Three; Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd George and Georges Clemenceau stretched out to strangle Germany's economic and political systems.

The Germans were not left with any choice but to accept the gruelling punishment and sign the Versailles Treaty.

It was clearly a 'diktat.'

The reaction of Germany was a cry for REVENGE.

Hindenburg said the following:

"......as a soldier I cannot help feeling that it is better to die honourably than accept a disgraceful peace."


Students

In this lesson you will examine the effects of the Treaty of Versailles on the Weimar Republic.

Learning

By the end of this lesson you will :

  • Understand how the Versailles Treaty had an impact on the Weimar Republic.
  • Learn about the humiliation faced by Germany after WWI.
  • Establish the effects of the Versailles Treaty using the skills of analyzing and evaluating.

Tasks

Imagine you are a Ghost Buster. There are two main tasks you need to complete:-

a. group presentation (using Powerpoint)

b. individual papers/essays (using Word or Publisher)

Make a team of 2/3 and embark on this journey through time.

3. Each team will research, analyze, organize and then share with the other teams' information about the Treaty of Versailles and its stranglehold on Germany. The information will be set out in the following way :

Why Germany Lost World War I

Terms of the Treaty of Versailles

Effects of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany : what was Germany like between 1918 and 1933.

4. By the end of the project, you will be familiar with the main characters and events that shaped Germany.

The schedule for this gruelling task is as follows:

DAY 1: In the Learning Resource Centre

    Discuss the Project and make sure you understand it.

    Students will be put into groups by their teacher.

    We will begin the research using the Internet.

Days 2-3: Research in the Learning Resource Centre and classroom.

Days 4-5: Using the computers around school to complete your Powerpoint presentation and essays.

    Finalize your internet research on Day 4 and begin organizing the group presentation.

Days 6: Presentations in C1 using a laptop and digital projector.

Make sure that you use the school email and message board to help you.

tidewayschool@aol.com

YOUR INDIVIDUAL essays ARE DUE on DAY 8.

Research and Presentations

Your research should focus on the four main categories listed above. Consequently, the group presentations should give the audience a clear picture of what Germany was like between 1918 and 1933. The presentations should last between 5 and 10minutes. Use of audio/ visual aids is highly recommended. Be creative. Here are some basic questions that should be covered in the presentations:

I. Politics and Domestic Issues

    Who were the main characters involved in the Paris Peace Settlement.

    What were the aims of the "Big Three"?

    What were the terms of the Treaty?

II. Effects of the Treaty of Versailles

    What was Germany's reaction to the terms of the Treaty?

    How did the Treaty contribute to the collapse of the Weimar Government?

    In what way did the Treaty contribute to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party?

III. As a whole......

    If you could go back in time, what events would you want to undo? Why?

Individual Essays

These essays are NOT to be summaries of your research. Write about the events or political developments that you found most interesting and why they caught your attention. Write about this project and what you liked and disliked about it. The paper should be about 2 sides of A4 in length.


Resources Needed

If you need to get more information on the effects of the Versailles Treaty on the Weimar Republic, refer to WEIMAR.

There are endless amounts of resources that are available to you. Below are some ideas to get you started.Each group must turn in a BIBLIOGRAPHY of resources on the day of their presentation. Remember: it's important that you conduct your research critically. If you need help determining the usefulness and accuracy of a resource, ask the Teacher.

THE LIBRARY

Encyclopedias

THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT

Documentary videos

THE INTERNET

Here are some websites that will help you :

Treaty of Versailles

Weaknesses of Weimar Republic

Weimar

YOUR COLLECTIVE GREY CELLS

What will make this project fun and interesting is your ability to think of creative ways to learn about the assigned topics. The library and internet resources will help you out with the hard facts. But be adventurous and try interviewing some people ! Let your imagination roll!

Marking

Your final grade for this project will consist of 80 points for the group presentation and 20 points for your individual essay.

The breakdown for the group presentation is as follows:-

Thoroughness of research - 30 points

    Were all 4 categories and their questions addressed?

    Were a variety of resources used?

    Was a bibliography of resources used turned in?

    Did you use email and message boards ?

tidewayschool@aol.com

Presentation -20 points

    Was the presentation well-organized?

    Were the main points clear and easily understood?

Originality and Creativity - 10 points

    Was information presented in creative ways?

    Did the audio/visual aids enhance the presentation?

    Surprises?

Teamwork - 20 points

    Did every team member play an important role in the presentation?

    Did every team member contribute significantly to the research?

Your individual paper will be worth 20 points. Spelling and grammar will be taken into consideration.

Total points for the final project: 100 points.

Conclusion

The Project will have provided you with a great apreciation and understanding of modern world history and the events that shaped politics in the 20th century.

You will have had the opportunity to hear or read transcripts of famous speeches, see video clips of historic events, and share exciting discoveries with your friends.

Knowing how the past has shaped the present will undoubtedly give you more insight of where the world is heading.

Enjoy the ride!