Germany on Trial
In August 1914 the Great Powers in Europe went to war and changed the history of the world forever. Four
years later over 10 million people had been killed as a result of the “Great War”. Understandably, people across
the world wanted someone to blame for the unimaginable tragedy and Germany became the scapegoat. In 1919,
representatives of the victorious powers met at the Palace of Versailles in France to resolve unfinished conflicts
and hopefully prevent future conflict. Sadly, the outcomes of the Treaty were mainly to assess blame for World
War I and unintentionally sow the seeds of World War II. One of the most infamous parts of the Treaty of
Versailles was Article 231 (called the “war guilt clause”) which stated that “Germany and her allies [caused] all the
loss and damage” from the war. As a result of the treaty, Germany was forced to make massive reparation
payments to the Allies, lost territory and had the size of its military severely restricted.
Germany was a powerful country who had been growing their army and weapons before the war, so they
were responsible, right? Or did responsibility for WWI lay with more than a single nation? Exploring these
questions in order to better understand the complex causes, escalation and consequences of World War I is the
focus of a mock trial simulation our class will prepare for and conduct over the next week or so.
Charges
1) Germany was ultimately responsible for the outbreak of the Great War.
2) Germany was ultimately responsible for the escalation of the Great War.
Witnesses
You and a partner will be assigned one of the countries involved in World War I listed below. Your tasks are:
Step 1: Research the role your nation had in World War I. Consider narrowing research to some of the
people, events and ideas relating to your country in World War I listed below. Take notes to turn in with your
testimony. (5 points)
Step 2: Create 4-6 questions and responses (testimony) from the point of view of someone from your
country. The questions should address:
1) How did your country become involved in WWI?
2) What was your country’s experience in WWI?
3) Given your country’s involvement, what reasons would you have to blame Germany OR another
country for the war’s outbreak and/or escalation? (15 points)
Step 3: Read your testimony during the mock trial. Be sure you describe relevant background and specific
historical evidence based on research notes that have relevance to the charges against Germany. (5 points)
Witness Nations
Belgium (Prosecution)
Russia (Prosecution)
England (Prosecution)
France (Prosecution)
United States (Prosecution)
India (Prosecution)
Australia (Prosecution)
Serbia (Defense)
Austria Hungary (Defense)
Ottoman Empire (Defense)
Germany (Defense)
Some Key People, Events, Ideas associated with Each Country’s Role in WWI
Invasion of Belgium, Committee on German Outrages, Albert I
Nicholas II, Use of Poison Gas on Eastern Front, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
David Lloyd George, Battle of Marne, Battle of Verdun, Battle of Somme, UBoats,
Clemenceau, War Guilt Clause, Battle of Marne, Battle of Verdun, Battle of
Somme
Lusitania, Zimmerman Note, Woodrow Wilson
British Indian Army, Battle of Gallipoli, Western Front
Gallipoli, ANZAC Forces
Gavrilo Princip, Black Hand, Crisis in Sarajevo
Emperor Franz Joseph, Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf, Balkans Campaigns
Enver Pasha, Gallipoli, Lawrence of Arabia, relationship with Russia-Caucuses
Campaign
Schlieffen Plan, Naval Blockade, Paul von Hindenburg, Erich Ludendorff, War
Guilt Clause
Lawyers
You and a partner or two will be assigned to either defend or prosecute Kaiser Wilhelm II in relation to the two
charges. Your own personal feelings are not relevant. Instead as a lawyer, your tasks are:
 Research (take research notes) arguments that could be used to either defend or prosecute Germany.
 Write a speech (1 page) aimed to persuade a neutral judge & jury that your view on both charges is
accurate.
 Read your speech either at the introduction or conclusion of the trial and ask witnesses questions they
provide.
Assessment
Witnesses and Lawyers will be assessed on research notes and use of preparation time (5 points), their
testimony/speech (15 points) and verbal participation during the mock trial (5 Points)
MY ROLE IN MOCK TRIAL IS: ______________________________________________________
Article on Differing Interpretations on Who is to blame for WWI
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/inside-first-world-war/part-one/10271886/who-started-world-war-one.html
In Depth Article on Legacies of WWI from German Magazine
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/world-war-i-continues-to-have-relevance-100-years-later-a-941523.html
Helpful Sources for Research:
http://www.firstworldwar.com/index.htm
http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwari/tp/wwi101.htm
http://www.bbc.com/history/0/ww1/
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world_war_one.htm
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/ww1/
Videos:
Cartoon Summary of WWI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3UjJ5kxiLI
Crash Course World History on WWI:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd2ch4XV84s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pFCpKtwCkI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XPZQ0LAlR4&list=PLBDA2E52FB1EF80C9&index=36
History Channel short videos relating to WWI
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i