Negotiating Peace: 8th Graders Dive into WWI Diplomacy Through Treaty of Versailles Simulation

As a culmination of their WWI unit, 8th grader students on the Swain Campus participated in a WWI Peace Talks simulation, where they represented various nations and empires involved in the Treaty of Versailles negotiations.

During this simulation, students took on the roles of Great Britain, France, the United States, Germany, Belgium, Japan, and South Africa. They engaged in negotiations and voted on key terms that would bring an end to the devastating conflict. These terms included issues such as War Guilt, the establishment of the League of Nations, Reparations, Military Power, and Colonial Possessions.

Following the simulation, students compared their negotiated terms with the actual Treaty of Versailles signed in 1919. This comparative analysis provided them with a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in international diplomacy and the far-reaching consequences of such agreements.

Through this project, 8th graders not only gained a deeper understanding of World War I but also honed their negotiation, critical thinking, and historical analysis skills. Throughout the multi-day project, students were asked to actively engage with difficult questions, practice research skills, and make predictions about the impact of their decisions.