M03: Historical Hack: Wilson's Plan for Peace

Optional Enrichment Activity - Complete this optional activity to get practice at interpreting primary source documents, looking specifically for Wilson’s motivations in the “Peace Without Victory” speech and the Fourteen Points. Next, you are to compare these documents with opposing criticisms from the Soviet Union (Lenin and Trotsky) and other Americans (Borah).

Suggested Activities:

• After reading Wilson’s documents, rank his motivations for his desires at the Treaty of Versailles and create a list about why they might differ.
• For Activity #2, you are asked to:
  • Look at both sides of the issue. Based on the several documents we’ve introduced in this hack as well as the things you’ve learned in this module, make a list of at least three “pros” for the creation of a league of nations and three “cons” for the creation of a league of nations.
  • Connect each of your points to one of the sources introduced in this hack or to another specific piece of evidence.