Module 6 Discussion Lesson Handout

Rules
The student activity for Napoleon and nationalism will be a class debate. Students will
work individually to answer the questions below as best as possible using evidence to support
their answer. Students are allowed to use any source they would like when answering the
questions as long as the source is reliable. To learn about reliable sources go to the primary
source toolbox page and click on Reliable sources. You can also go to my Sources page and start
there. Students must have cite their sources, or let everybody know where they got their
information from. Students from the opposing groups can ask the judge, me the teacher, confirm
any evidence that other students have presented. If a student cant provide the source for their
evidence then they will be disqualified for that question.
During the debate students will be given 5 minutes to argue their stance on the selected
questions. There is no right or wrong answer to the questions, the goal is to use your opinion to
answer each question then use evidence to support your opinion. After each question is question
is asked students with the same stance will get into groups and defend their stance. There will be
no points given to the groups or individuals during the debate and there will be no winner or
loser of the debate. If students do not have evidence to support their stance then they are
automatically disqualified from participating in that question. Because of time restriction in class
not every question will be addressed, however each student must be prepared for every question.
Finally, students must include vocabulary word into their answers in order to contribute to the
debate.
At the end of each question students will have to write their final arguments. In their final
arguments students will have to write their original argument and their supporting evidence and
tell me if they still stand behind their original thought or if their opponent's argument has
changed their mind. In addition, my students will have to write their opponent's arguments and
supporting evidence. Students will also have to analyze their opponents argument and tell me
why they believe their opponents argument is good or not.
Discussion Questions
Is nationalism a good thing? Why? Why not?
Explain whether Napoleon was or was not a good leader?
Does nationalism create war? If so how much more war?
How did Napoleon have anything to do with nationalism?
Does nationalism still exist today?
Vocabulary
Napoleon: A popular military hero who had won a series of brilliant victories against the
Austrians in Italy.
Nationalism: A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to ones country.
Marseilles: A port city in France where French revolutionary troops rallied to march against the
bloody banner of tyranny spurred on by a new song, La Marseillaise, which later became
Frances national anthem.
Napoleonic Code: A new code of laws or reforms that embodied enlightenment principles such
as the equality of all citizens before the law, religious toleration, and the abolition of feudalism.
Guerrilla Warfare: Hit-and-run attacks used by Spanish patriots against French, small bands of
soldiers would ambush French supply trains or troops before quickly retreating into the
countryside.