In Diplomacy, Should You Have Separate Country "Draws" For Players of Different Experience?
I don't think it would've changed the outcome at all.  A strong player will walk all over weak ones regardless of which country they are assigned.  

A better plan might be to play several "mini-games".  Play for the most centers at the end of 1904, then take 15 minutes to "debrief" so that the newer players can get an idea of the strategy that was going on "behind their backs".  Draw for new countries, and repeat, maybe playing a little longer this time.  

Knowing that their entire day isn't ruined by a bad start and that they only have to wait a little while to start over should keep you from losing the new players, and the experienced players should be challenged by trying to repeatedly pull off strong showings.  While ending at a particular year does result in some weird tactics toward the end, it should still serve as a good learning session that hopefully leaves everyone wanting more.