January 15, 2026

Topic: The Treaty of Versailles — What Did It Really Say?

Today in class, we dove into one of the most important documents in modern history: the Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919 to officially end World War I. We read from a skit-style version of the treaty that helped us understand the key players, the major terms, and the emotional reactions of different countries.

We learned that:

• Germany was blamed for starting the war and had to pay huge reparations.

• The treaty forced Germany to give up land, shrink its military, and accept full responsibility for the war.

• Other countries like France, Britain, and the U.S. had different goals — some wanted punishment, others wanted peace.

• The treaty created tension and resentment, especially in Germany, which helped set the stage for future conflict.

We also discussed how the treaty was controversial, and how its harsh terms may have led to the rise of Nazism and World War II.

Students asked great questions like:

• “Was the treaty fair?”

• “Why didn’t the U.S. sign it?”

• “How would you feel if your country was blamed for everything?”

Tomorrow, we’ll explore how these decisions affected everyday people and connect this to our Human Timeline Walk.

Great job today, historians!