Lesson Plan

Lesson Four: Writing a Diplomatic Toast

Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror). 1432-1481.
Photo caption

Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed II (Mehmed the Conqueror). 1432-1481.

Wikimedia Commons

In this lesson students apply the intelligence gathered at the intelligence briefing and through their primary source analysis to prepare a toast for one Early Modern empire. 

Students can chose to toast any of the empires represented in class (Ashanti Slave Trading Kingdom; English Empire; Dutch Empire; Mughal Empire; Ottoman Empire; Qing Empire; Russian Empire; Safavid Empire; and Spanish Empire).

Guiding Questions

How do Empires establish priorities as well as compromise when negotiating diplomatic partnerships?

Learning Objectives

Students synthesize gathered intelligence to inform actions taken to form alliances with other Early Modern Empires.

Lesson Plan Details

Preparation
Lesson Activities

Activity 1. The Purpose of a Diplomatic Toast

To introduce students to the concept of a toast, show them a clip of President Obama toasting President Hu Jintao of China at a state dinner on January 19, 2011. While students watch, ask them to consider the following questions:

  • How does President Obama celebrate Chinese culture?
  • How does President Obama celebrate American culture?
  • What connections does President Obama make between China and the United States?
  • What do you think is the objective of this toast?

Activity 2. Writing a Diplomatic Toast

Students break up into their empire groups and use the worksheet to begin writing their own toast. Students refer to the graphic organizer from the intelligence briefings and their document analysis to identify key details to include in their toasts.

Assessment

Ask each group to state what they learned from composing their diplomatic toast.

Materials & Media

Lesson Four. Worksheet: Diplomatic Toast
Download File (PDF)

Related on EDSITEment

Lesson Plan

Lesson One: Learning about Early Modern Era Empires
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Lesson Two: Empire Intelligence Briefings
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Lesson Three: Analyzing “Intercepted Intelligence”
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Lesson Five: Hosting a Diplomatic Reception