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Versailles Conference
AP Modern European History
2005-'06
The purpose of this exercise is to expose you to the difficulties facing the participants in the aftermath of the Great War and the debate over how to rebuild the world. Through an in-depth research an role-playing scenario, you should gain insight to the myriad of issues facing the post-war powers, the complexities of diplomatic negotiations among nations with competing national interests, and a greater understanding of why the Conference at Versailles is viewed by many historians as simply an interlude in a conflict that would erupt again in the 1930's, and a significant causal factor in the coming WWII.
The Players
Great Powers
1. The United States
2. France
3. Great Britain
The Lesser Victorious Powers
1. Italy
2. Poland
3. Yugoslavia/Serbia
4. Japan
5. China
6. Arab Emirits
The Committees
1. THE COVENANT OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS - US (Chair)
Drafting of the Charter and major provisions of the proposed League of Nations
2. WAR GUILT - Yugoslavia/Serbia (Chair)
Determination of blame for the outbreak of the Great War
3. REPARATIONS - FR (Chair)
Determination of financial and other non-monetary reparations, excluding territorial and military hardware, to be paid by the defeated nations to the victorious powers.
4. TERRITORIAL RESOLUTION
Determination of possession and borders for all disputed territories and colonial holdings in the former German, Austrian and Ottoman Empires
a. Europe - Poland (Chair)
b. Africa - Italy(Chair)
c. Pacific - Japan(Chair)
d. Middle East - Arab Emirits(Chair)
5. ARMS LIMITATIONS - GB (Chair)
Determination of the make-up and limitations to be placed on the armed forces of the defeated and/or victorious nations of Europe.
As a nation you must:
· Research the treaty of Versailles and the issues facing your nation as you head into the Treaty. You must act in the historical context of your national interest, and you may not make use of historical hindsight.
· Develop a position and policy strategy based on your nations' interest for each of the 5 committees and 4 subcommittees.
· Work to develop diplomatic relations with other nation states to gain support for your policies (Lobby).
· Put forth a formal written proposal for each committee to be presented in hearings on 3/13.
Individual and Group Responsibilities
1. Each nation will select a delegation leader.
2. Delegation leaders will assign at least 1 person to each of the 8 committees/subcommittees.*
a. Keep in mind; if one person is sick, you nation is still responsible for the work. It is strongly advised that each member is assigned an oversight role for a second committee.
b. All national representatives should be well versed in each of the five committees.
3. Delegation leader will assign one person to chair the Committee hearing to which your nation has been assigned as lead.
4. Delegation leader will introduce the Committee Resolution to which your nation has been assigned as lead to the full conference.
5. Each nation should have at least 1 person who is an expert on each of the other participating nations. Remember, in many ways, this is a competition between states.
6. Much of your success/failure will hinge on your ability to negotiate with other powers. Each nation should appoint liaisons (typically your expert) to other nations.
7. Each committee/subcommittee member will be required to submit a 1-2 page green paper w/ a specific proposal to your delegation by ________. (2 copies 1 to the group and 1 to Mr. Kirby ). A green paper is a draft proposal that clearly states your position and may include supporting information or justification that would not be used in the text of a resolution.
8. Each nation must submit a properly formatted proposal for full committee review by _______.
9. In the event that your group has more than 9 representatives:
a. The 10th individual will be required to Chair a committee and introduce your nations proposal to the full committee of which your nation has been designated to lead (i.e. the US heads the League of Nations Committee, you would Chair the committee and put forth the US proposal)
Evaluations
1. Individual: Green Papers 30 Points
2. Individual: Delegation leader will submit a one page written evaluation of effort. Delegation leaders assessment of participation. 10pts
3. Individual Committee participation (including Forums). 25 pts
4. Group: Draft proposal. 30 pts.
5. Group: Participation. In order to receive full credit, all members present during the committee and floor session must contribute at least once. 30pts.
6. Individual written response.* 75 pts
Total Points = 200
*Each member will be required to write a 2-3 page evaluative response to the final treaty from the perspective of your nation. As a delegate, do you recommend that the treaty be ratified or rejected? Why? You may draft your response in the form of a green paper directed to you Parliament or monarch, or in the form of an editorial to run in a major daily paper. Your evaluation need not reflect the views of the delegation as a whole.
Rules of the Game
1. Historical accuracy is of utmost importance. You must work within the frame of events up until the actual conference.
2. Though you have the benefit of hindsight, you may make no reference to this in any way during the exercise, and any conclusions that could only be logically drawn in hindsight will be deemed invalid. You will be ruled out of order during session. Any out of order ruling will result in a 2 minute suspension from all participation.
3. You must stay in character. This means that you represent the views, policies and opinions of your nation during this era. To illustrate this, the United States must be guided by Wilsons 14 Points.
4. 5 of 8 nations must vote in favor of a resolution in order to pass.
5. Any of the Big 3 may veto any resolution.
6. We will use an abridged Roberts Rules of Order.
7. Lying, cheating, double-crossing and backstabbing of participating nations is legal - this is politics!
8. You will have access to PowerPoint. Yes, I know that this violates rules 1-3, but lacking in maps, we will have to suspend disbelief in this one case.
COMMITTEE SESSIONS
1. Each Committee will be chaired by the nation designated. The lead delegate may select any member to act as chairperson.
2. The chairperson will introduce legislation from his/her nation and control the floor. Every member should be given a chance to speak for or against the proposal.
3. The chair will make note of every representative that speaks during committee.
4. Proposals may be amended using parliamentary procedure. Every amendment must be seconded, and a seconded amendment suspends debate on the original proposal until the amendment is accepted, rejected or tabled. Amendments may be friendly, needing no debate.
5. All committees must submit a proposal. There can be no vetos from the big three during committee. Mr. Kirby will answer procedural questions from the chairs.
Tentative Schedule - 7:30-2:00
7:30-7:40 Committe Instructions
7:40 First Committee Session
8:10 Break
8:15 Second Committee Session
8:35 Break (Discuss Committees)
8:45 Conference Convenes
8:50 League of Nations (US)
9:35 Break
9:40 War Guilt
10:00 Pacific Territories
10:25 Middle East Territories
10:50 Africa Territories
11:15 *Europe Territories* May go to Lunch
11:55 Military Redistribution
12:04 Lunch
12:35 Conf. resumes
1:05 Reparations