Essay Plan

Was the Treaty of Versailles Fair?

Read McAleavy 26-28. This introduces you to the different historical arguments about the Treaty of Versailles. You will also need to refer back to the work you completed earlier about the problems faced by the peacemakers (six point diagram) and the conflicting goals the ‘Big Three’ hoped to achieve.

Having done all the research and made all the notes, you should now be in a position to make up your own mind about how well the peacemakers did.

Suggested structure:

Remember throughout this essay to PEE in your paragraphs (Make a Point which contributes an answer to the question, Explain your point and give some Evidence/Examples to support your point).

Paragraph 1 – Introduction. Try to capture the readers interest. Most importantly answer the question and outline the arguments you are going to make in paragraphs 3-conclusion (this is called signposting). If you think the peacemakers did a relatively good job, (all things considered) or a rotten job, then this is the place to say it. If you have got four arguments in support of your point of view (line of argument) then this is the place to briefly describe them.

Paragraph 2 – Recognising the counter arguments. This is the section where you achieve ‘balance’ in your essay by acknowledging the arguments of the opposing point of view. If you thought Versailles an unfair Treaty, this is where you will outline the arguments of those who think it fair and vice versa. Make sure you make it clear that these are not your arguments by using phrases like: ‘It might be argued…’ or ‘ Historians like Sally Marks have argued…’

Paragraphs 3, 4, 5, etc. – Here you expand on your arguments dividing each of your points into a discrete (separate) paragraph. Make sure wherever possible you are using as much historical factual evidence to support your points as possible. You may wish to use paragraph 3 to argue against the points made in paragraph 2 and then develop your own arguments in paragraphs 4, 5 etc.

Conclusion – A good essay doesn’t need one; but we do have to finish somehow. Perhaps restate your most important points and end with the reader wishing to read more. Make it different/interesting. Perhaps look at what happened after the event you have been writing about.

Before you begin writing there is one very important thing I want you to consider. One of the great Historians of the last century Edward Thompson once said that in making judgements about people in the past, we should always try to avoid ‘the enormous condescension of posterity’. He meant that we should treat characters in the past with respect and avoid criticising them for things they could not have known. Over the last 50 years the peacemakers in 1919 have been criticised for having sown the seeds of WWII. Yet from a different historical perspective (say 1928) the peace might have seen much more long lasting. Think about it.