Breaking the Heart of the World: Henry Cabot Lodge, the Treaty of Versailles, and Integrity

How did Henry Cabot Lodge practice integrity during the debates regarding the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations following World War I?

Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.

• What challenges are you facing?
• What fears or concerns might you have?
• What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?

Observation Questions

• What was Henry Cabot Lodge’s role during the debates over the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations?
• Why did Lodge disagree with President Wilson about the Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations? How did his disagreement affect his purpose?
• What did Lodge do to show his disagreement?

Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.

• What is the historical context of the narrative?
• What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
• How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
• How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
• How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
• What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
• Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
• How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?

• Students will evaluate the integrity of Henry Cabot Lodge in the Senate debate over the Treaty of Versailles.
• Students will analyze Lodge’s actions and develop examples of integrity that they see in their own lives.
• Students will apply their knowledge of integrity in their day-to-day lives.