Do Now

• Please get into your groups assigned by yours truly

• Please get out a writing utensil

• Please get out and turn in your peace terms worksheet (the country role sheet)

The German Response

• Today we will be looking at two documents that document the German response to the Treaty of Versailles1. The German reply memorandum written by the

German Foreign Minister Count Brockdorff-Rantzau

2. Adolf Hitler’s April 17, 1923 speech denouncing the treaty

The German Response

In your groups you will:

1.Read the document independently as I read it aloud

2.Discuss with your group and class what the document is focusing on

3.Answer the questions provided as a group

Document 1: The German Reply

1. Read the document independently as I read it aloud.

2. What is the document primarily focusing on?3. What problems does Germany list that will

result in the ratification of the treaty?4. What does the document say will happen to

Germany if the treaty is signed?5. How might German feelings be toward the

treaty?

Document 2: Hitler’s Speech(Background: The German Kaiser abdicated at the close of WWI and was succeeded by a democratic republic known as the Weimar Republic. It was the representatives of the Weimar Republic who signed the Versailles Treaty for Germany.)

1.Read the document independently as I read it aloud.2.What is the document primarily focusing on?3.Why is Hitler so bitter towards the Weimar Republic?4.What does Hitler blame the Weimar Republic for?5.What other goals does he link to the setting aside of the treaty?6.What actions is he alluding to at the end of the speech?7.How might this speech appeal to the emotions of the German people?