Social Studies 20-1: Nationalism and National Interest

Performance Task: Paris Peace Conference and The Treaty of Versailles

Curricular Outcomes:

GLO:
Students will assess impacts of nationalism, ultranationalism, and the pursuit of national interest.

SLOs:
 (2.1) Appreciate that nations and states pursue national interest
 (2.3) Appreciate multiple perspectives related to the pursuit of national interest
 (2.5) Analyze how the pursuit of national interest shapes foreign policy
 (2.7) Analyze nationalism and ultranationalism during times of conflict
 (S.5) Demonstrate skills of cooperation, conflict resolution and consensus building
o participate in persuading, compromising and negotiating to resolve conflicts and differences
o demonstrate leadership during discussions and group work
o respect the points of view and perspectives of others
o collaborate in groups to solve problems

Introduction:

The Paris Peace Conference was a series of diplomatic meetings that convened in January 1919

following the events of World War I. The objectives of these meetings were to develop terms of

peace in the aftermath of the conflict. The Treaty of Versailles marked the end of these meetings

wherein the participating countries and nations outlined their compromises and decisions to

ensure peace. This ultimately resulted in the inception of the now obsolete League of Nations.

Through this assignment, students will learn the importance of diplomatic relations, particularly

as they relate to foreign policy and the pursuit of national interest. Students will also learn the

value of being persuasive and engaging in conversation with their peers to meet goals.
 Social Studies 20-1: Nationalism and National Interest

Task Overview:

 You and a partner of your choice will be randomly assigned a nation or country to

represent in a mock Paris Peace Conference. The list of nations that are possible to

represent are as follows:

 Austria  Japan
 Bulgaria  Poland
 France (Big Four)  Britain (Big Four)
 Germany  United States (Big Four)
 Italy (Big Four)  Kingdom of Yugoslavia (states of Slovenes,
 Canada Croats, and Serbs)
 Ottoman Empire  China

 You will have one week to complete research through any means on your nation and

their involvement in World War I. You will also need to complete research on other

countries’ involvement to guide your requests and compromises for the conference.

 While you complete your research, you will develop a list of requests and

arrangements to address in the conference with the other nations.

 Over multiple class times, the conference will function as a round-table discussion

where each nation will get to highlight their talking points individually, then once all the

nations have gone, all the countries will vote on what points get enacted into the Treaty

of Versailles. Big Four countries will have 2 votes each and other countries will only

have 1 vote. The teacher will keep track of decisions made by the class.

 Finally, you will individually complete a one-page write-up (or equivalent length

speech, video, presentation, etc. — only after discussing it with the teacher) describing

how pursuit of national interest and nationalism influenced the choices in the class
 Social Studies 20-1: Nationalism and National Interest

conference (You may write about your own nation or another nation involved in the

conference).
 Social Studies 20-1: Nationalism and National Interest
Rubric:
4 - Excellent
Preparedness Students demonstrated
(Partner Grade) outstanding preparation (i.e.
high-quality notes for their
nation, talking points for
national interest, and in-
depth understanding of other
nation’s requests).
Participation Students demonstrated
(Partner Grade) effective and consistent
participation. Students
expressed their perspective
with a good understanding of
the perspective of others.
Quality of Ideas Students expressed an
– Conference excellent understanding of
(Partner Grade) national interest and were
convincing in their requests
for policymaking.
Quality of Ideas Student clearly and
– Write-up insightfully expressed how
(Individual nationalism and pursuit of
Grade) national interest linked in
making foreign policy
decisions.
Total Score: /24
Comments:
3 - Proficient
Students demonstrated good
preparation (i.e. some notes
for their nation, talking
points for national interest,
and a good understanding of
other nation’s requests).
Students demonstrated
frequent participation.
Students expressed their
perspective with some
understanding of the
perspective of others.
Students expressed a good
understanding of national
interest and were credible in
their requests for
policymaking.
Student logically and
considerately expressed how
nationalism and pursuit of
national interest linked in
making foreign policy
decisions.
2 – Needs Improvement
Students demonstrated
minimal preparation (i.e. few
notes on their nation, talking
points for national interest,
and little understanding of
other nation’s requests).
Students demonstrated little
participation. Students
expressed some of their
perspective and/or an
understanding of the
perspective of others.
Students expressed some
understanding of national
interest and were
questionable in their requests
for policymaking.
Student somewhat provided
an explanation for how
nationalism and/or pursuit
of national interest assisted
them in making foreign
policy decisions.
1 – Unsatisfactory Score
Students were unprepared
and did not bring much, if
any, materials to support
them in the discussion.
/4
Students participated
inadequately and did not
express their perspective nor
understood the perspective
of others.
/4
Students did not express an
understanding of national
interest and did not provide
any requests for
policymaking. /8
Student write-up was
incomplete and/or did not
adequately address how
nationalism and pursuit of
national interest linked in
making foreign policy
decisions. /8