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World War 1 Simulation Activity

Procedure:
1. Duplicate pages 3 -5 for each student. In this simulation six fictionalized nations compete
for power. Each nation is given secret instructions. Prior to the day the game is played,
divide materials into file folders. One folder for each country. Each student gets a copy of
page 3-5, and each country gets 4-5 copies of their confidential data sheet, 1 copy of
response to crisis, and 1 copy of second state of paper.

2. Divide the class into groups. Have each group select a Minister of State (speaks for each
group of students), a Secretary of State (writes agreements and documents for the
group), and Ambassadors (talks to other nations and makes deals)

3. On the first day of the activity, after groups have been established, handout the file
folders to the Minster of State and have the materials distributed and read by each
country. A good optional activity before you begin the simulation is to have each country
design a national flag or emblem. They should display their flag during the game so that
other countries can identify them. You may want to have signs with the country name on
display with each group

4. When all countries have read their World Situation Summary, you may want to discuss
the map and where each nation is located in your room.

5. TO BEGIN THE GAME: read the News Bulletin on page ___. It is a crisis statement. Bahkan
is attacked by Penland. After you had read the statement, hand each country page ___
(Response to Crisis). Each country must prepare a state paper proposing a solution to the
crisis. They may NOT consult with other countries before they have written their
statement. When they have completed their statements, have each nation read their
statement.

6. SECOND PART OF THE GAME: After each group has read their statement and has had
time to analyze what the other countries are saying, explain to the class that they may
have limited time in which to send ambassadors to other nations. After they have talked,
compromised, negotiated, made deals, they will be asked to write a second state paper
explaining what their ultimate action will be. It is important that they explain exactly what
they plan to do in this crisis and who their allies are.

7. After the second state papers have been read, the teacher will declare an end to the
game and announce the outcome.
Discussion:
- How did the nations align themselves?
- Did self interest make any solution almost impossible?
- Was war the final solution?
- Have the students identify the actual countries they were portraying:
o Penland = Germany o Sandia = Russia
o Bahkan = composite of Serbia o Caldonia = Great Britain
o Yorkton = France o Morovia = Austria-Hungary
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World Situation Summary

1. Your six nations represent the main factions in a troubled world situation. There has been
general peace on the continent for about 50 years. This peace has been hard to maintain
in the rapidly changing, expanding, industrialized, and technical world

2. There has been increased intervention in the underdeveloped parts of the world by
opposing factions. Both Caldonia and Penland have made claim to some disputed
territory in the rubber rich area of Asia

3. There has been a strong rivalry between Morovia and Yorkton centered around boundary
disputes over the Great Forest area on their borders (see map)

4. Yorkton has also been involved in controversies with Penland over control of the mouth
of the Makeshift River. Yorkton currently controls the area.

5. Bahkan is a relatively new nation, once having been a part of Penland. They gained their
independence peacefully under a previous government.

6. Penland is very interested in regaining Bahkan, although no overt action has been taken
in that direction by the Penlandian government.

7. There is a vocal nationalistic group in Penland demanding that their government retake
Bahkan and cleanse it of all foreign elements.

8. Caldonia has been somewhat successful in keeping out of some of the squabbles because
of its geographical isolation from neighboring states.

9. It is common knowledge that Penland has the most powerful army on the continent.
Caldonia is the strongest naval power.

10. Sandia has been troubled by domestic unrest, and the government is not considered to
be too stable. There have been reports that a large faction of unemployed workers and
peasants are banding together and are planning a revolution. At this point, there is no
reliable information which would indicate that they would be successful.

11. Various nations have entered into military alliances which guarantee mutual support in
times of war. A number of these agreements are secret.

12. This is a time of extreme nationalism in which most countrymen support their respective
governments to the fullest in foreign affairs. Because of the fear between the various
nations, generated by the uneasy peace, there has been a continual race to build military
armaments.

13. Major Newspapers in each country have been carrying on feuds with each other and
thereby have helped fan the flames of unrest and hatred within each nation
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World Situation Summary

KNOWN ALLIANCES: These are the only alliances, which have been announced publicly

COUNTRY ALLIANCE WHAT NATION

Bahkan Yes Sandia
Caldonia Yes Yorktown
Morovia No -----------
Penland No -----------
Sandia Yes Bahkan
Yorkton Yes Caldonia

MILITARY STRENGTH:

COUNTRY ARMY SIZE RATING

Bahkan 100,000 Good
Caldonia 1,500,000 Good
Morovia 150,000 Good
Penland 7,000,000 Excellent
Sandia 4,000,000 Poor
Yorkton 3,000,000 Fair

NAVAL STRENGTH:

COUNTRY NAVY SIZE RATING

Bahkan 500 Fair
Caldonia 1,500,000 Excellent
Morovia None -----------
Penland 125,000 Fair
Sandia 50,000 Fair
Yorkton 25,000 Fair

NATIONAL STATISTICS:
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COUNTRY POPULATION NATIONAL INCOME

Bahkan 3,500,000 80,000,000
Caldonia 34,000,000 280,000,000
Morovia 15,000,000 150,000,000
Penland 40,000,000 290,000,000
Sandia 77,000,000 120,000,000
Yorkton 38,000,000 200,000,000
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(THIS STATEMENT IS READ TO THE CLASS BY THE TEACHER. EACH NATION IS ASKED TO RESPOND
IN WRITING TO THE PRESS ABOUT THE ACTION THEY WILL TAKE. THEY MAY NOT DISCUSS THEIR
STATEMENT WITH OTHER GROUPS UNTIL ALL THE STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN READ)

NEWS BULLETIN

DATELINE: BAHKAN

The government of Bahkan has reported that Penland

nationalists have staged a massive armed attack along her
borders. They have taken control of the East River and have
bombed the government facilities in the capital.

It is believed that the raiders are members of the same

group which have been staging smaller raids on the Bahkan border
in previous months.

This action is by far the most serious yet taken by Penland

nationalists. Bahkan officials charge that this attack was led
by the regular Penlandian Army, and is an act of outright
aggression against Bahkan territorial integrity.

Government representatives in Penland have refused to

comment on the current crisis. This leads to speculation that
Bahkan officials are making a legitimate charge.

There are also reports that there have been massive troop
movements in Penland, both in the direction of Sandia and
Yorkton.
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RESPONSE TO CRISIS
Name of Country: ___________________________

After hearing the News Bulletin on the Bahkan situation, your country is to come up with a
proposal for dealing with the Bahkan crisis. At this point in time, your ambassadors CAN NOT
meet with other countries to discuss agreements, compromises, alliances, etc. Use your
confidential data sheets, the map, and world situation summaries to come up with your
proposal. Once each country has come up with a proposal, they will share their statement with
the class.

FIRST STATE PAPER: (What is your countrys first proposal to deal with the Bahkan crisis?)

Signed: ______________________
(Minister of State)
______________________
(Secretary of State)
______________________
(Ambassador)
______________________
(Ambassador)
______________________
(Ambassador)
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CONFIDENTAL BAHKAN DATA SHEET

The following facts give you a background on Bahkan. Read and become familiar with them.
Keep the world situation in mind as you analyze these facts. Remember, this is confidential and
should not be seen by any of the other countries. Your goal is to maintain peace, if possible. You
will be called upon to present your decision orally and in writing.

1. Your country is relatively new. You were once a Provence (state) in the nation of Penland
and you achieved independence through peaceful means under a former Penlandian
government.

2. You have what is thought to be one of the smallest armies in the world. It is well trained,
but could not stand long against a Penlandian invasion.

3. You have attempted to enlist moral support for your cause by publicizing and
condemning the border raids of Penlandian nationalists. You have information which
leads you to believe that the Penlandian government is supporting these raids.

4. Sandia has been a long-time friend and as verbally supported your position. You have
joined them in a military alliance which guarantees your mutual support, if either of you
are attacked.

5. Because of their long feud with Penland, Yorkton has also signed an alliance with you
which guarantees military support in case either of you are attacked. This alliance is
secret and is only known to you and Yorkton.

6. You hope that knowledge of these alliances will cause Penland to allow you to keep your
freedom. However your alliance with Yorkton is secret and contains a clause which
permits only Yorkton to make this alliance public information. IF you release this
information the alliance could be broken and you may be without an important ally. At
the present time, you are willing to release this information because you believe that
Yorkton would continue to honor the agreement.

7. You have held secret talks with Caldonia in hopes of enlisting their aid. Their navy could
be most useful to you, both on the oceans and on the East River, your only outlet to the
sea. So far, these talks havent produced a permanent alliance. Caldonia remains friendly
and in principle supports your opinion, but refuses to enter into any alliance with you.

8. At this point, you are attempting to negotiate a peaceful solution with Penland. You are
willing to let her have access to the portion of the East River which falls within your
boundaries. In addition, you will lift all tariffs on goods which they sell you and you would
make an agreement to buy all of your steel and coal from them.

9. Above all you must maintain your alliances and work for new ones; without them you
would probably be attacked immediately.
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CONFIDENTAL CALDONIA DATA SHEET

The following facts give you a background on Caldonia. Read and become familiar with them.
Keep the world situation in mind as you analyze these facts. Remember, this is confidential and
should not be seen by any other country. Your goal is to maintain peace if possible. You will be
called upon to present your decisions orally and in writing.

1. You have the largest and most powerful navy in the world. Your geographical location has
been an asset to you historically. The mountain range to your east has provided you with
protection against invasion from your neighbors.

2. You are aware of Penlands interest in Bahkan, and you have attempted to negotiate a
peaceful settlement. Bahkan has tried to get you to join them in a military alliance. You
have resisted their attempts so far, but the majority of people in your country favor an
alliance with Bahkan.

3. Historically, you have had an alliance with Yorkton, and this is well known to the rest of
the world. You know Yorkton has had a running feud with Penland and Morovia, but you
do not consider it to be that serious. You do not think it will lead to hostilities.

4. Yorkton has publically supported Bahkan, but because of their weak military posture, you
do not think Yorkton is willian to back her words with military support of Bahkan.

5. Your main conflict with your neighbors has been with Penland. You have been arguing
over some territory in Asia. Penland has posed a threat to your supremacy in this area.
Agents from Yorkton have also informed you that Penland is building a large fleet of
submarines

6. At present, you have no interest in world war, but only hope to avert it. You have
considered the possibility of letting Penland take Bahkan, if they will allow you to remain
supreme in Asia.

7. You have maintained nice, but not friendly relations with Morovia. You strongly oppose
their interest in Yorkton forest land. This is especially important to you since you buy
most of your lumber from Yorkton and get it a very reasonable rate. You think Morovian
interests would charge you more money for the same service.

8. Sandia has been a friend to you. You know that their current government is shaky,
therefore you have stayed out of their domestic affairs. You have heard rumors that
Penland has their eyes on part of Sandia, but you think that these are false and have
been created merely to build animosity between you and Penland.

9. What concerns you most is maintaining peace and restraining Penland from unlimited
growth which could pose a threat to you.

10. You must also be concerned with the condition of Yorkton, since your alliance with them
could bring you into conflict.
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CONFIDENTAL MOROVIA DATA SHEET

The following facts give you a background on Moravian. Read and become familiar with them.
Keep the world situation in mind as you analyze these facts. Remember, this is confidential and
should not be seen by any other country. Your goal is to maintain peace if possible. You will be
called upon to present your decisions orally and in writing.

1. You are located in the central heartland of the continent. You currently have a small, but
efficient army, and you think you could increase its size if circumstances require it.

2. Penland has been your long-time friend and you have joined her in a secret alliance. This
alliance would guarantee you mutual assistance in case either of you declare war or are
attacked.

3. You believe that, if war occurs, you will gain quite a bit of land which is currently Yorkton
and possibly some of Sandia. You have no guarantee if this would happen since Penland
is so powerful and they may leave you nothing.

4. Your primary interest in Yorkton is the great forest which you believe would be a boost to
your economy. You have previously made claim to this land. Since you are a land-
locked nation, Penlandian control of the Makeshift River would give you access to the
North Ocean and a reasonable trade route.

5. Militarily, you would probably send your main force against Yorkton. The swamps to the
south give you what you believe to be a ready defense against Sandian aggression. Of
course, this would leave you open to the west and possible attack by Caldonia, if they
were to interfere. They only have a small army, but you would probably receive the brunt
of any action they might take

6. In an attempt to determine what Caldonian intentions might be in case of war, you have
held secret discussions with them. You received no concrete information and you are
worried about what action they might take. The fact that you have these discussions
should be kept secret from Penland, because they might doubt your sincere interest in
your alliance with them

7. You are aware of the problems between Penland and Bahkan, and information coming
from your agents clearly show the problem is being caused by Bahkan. Nationalists in
Bahkan are attempting to get foreign aid and sympathy by stirring up trouble with
Penland. You should point this out in any discussion with other nations.

8. Much of what you will do will depend on the actions of Penland, unless you are willing to
break your alliance with them. This, of course, will deny you land acquisition and will earn
you the hostility of powerful Penland.
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CONFIDENTAL PENLAND DATA SHEET

The following facts give you a background on Penland. Read and become familiar with them.
Keep the world situation in mind as you analyze these facts. Remember, this is confidential and
should not be seen by any other country. Your goal is to maintain peace if possible. You will be
called upon to present your decisions orally and in writing.

1. Your army is considered to be the best on the continent. It is well trained and has
excellent leadership at all levels. Your weapons development programs are far ahead of
the rest of the world. You are presently developing a submarine in a top secret project to
counter the strength of the Caldonian navy. Your military leaders have been pushing for
action in the direction of Bahkan. They believe this land is rightfully a part of Penland and
should be retaken.

2. A strong group of nationalists have also been pushing for an attack on Bahkan. They have
led night raids on the Bahkan border. Although your government has publicly condemned
these raids, you have secretly supported these raids with military equipment. If the
question of your involvement is raised by other nations, your policy has been to deny
everything and blame Bahkan for the incidents along the border.

3. Historically you have had a fierce rivalry with Yorkton. The controversy centers around
the control of the mouth of the Makeshift River. Yorkton currently controls the moth of
the river and allows you only minimum access. Most of your population knows that in the
past the river was a part of Penland and 50% of the people living along the mouth of the
river are Penlandians. It would be very beneficial to you if you could gain control of the
river.

4. Your strongest ally has been Morovia to your west. You have entered into a secret
alliance with them which would guarantee mutual assistance, if either of you went to
war. Morovia could provide you with plenty of food and considerable money in case of a
lengthy war.

5. The Sandian government, your intelligence reveals, is about to collapse, and you believe
that you might be able to expand your boundaries in their direction.

6. Caldonia poses the biggest threat to any of your adventures. Their navy could pose a
strong threat to any success you might have. You dont have any idea how Caldonia might
react to expansion on your part. Caldonia likes to maintain peace through negotiations.
You should try to appease them, and encourage them to maintain neutral.

7. You have just received an intelligence report that Morovia has held secret talks with
Caldonia. They have said nothing to you about those talks.
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CONFIDENTAL SANDIA DATA SHEET

The following facts give you a background on Sandia. Read and become familiar with them. Keep
the world situation in mind as you analyze these facts. Remember, this is confidential and should
not be seen by any other country. Your goal is to maintain peace if possible. You will be called
upon to present your decisions orally and in writing.

1. Your government is currently in trying times. There has been a movement among your
people to overthrow your government.

2. The last thing you want is to become involved in a world war. The pressure might be too
great on your government.

3. Your army is large, but not well trained, and some of your generals may not be loyal to
your government.

4. Geographically, you have some protection from the mountains to your north and the
swamps to your northwest.

5. Yorkton has approached you about a possible military alliance with them. You havent
signed it yet, but you think it might be beneficial to do so. A show of force against
Penlands aggression may be effective.

6. You are a partner in an alliance with Bahkan, a long time friend. You realize their weak
position, which may draw you into war with Penland. You want to keep this commitment,
but you dont want to risk war.

7. Your spies think that the government of Penland may have their eyes on your territory.
You have no proof of this, but if its true, you cannot defend yourself without the aids of
your allies. You must create a situation in which you would have help if Penland attacks.

8. Some of the cabinet ministers have suggested that you break your Bahkan alliance and
attempt to join Penland or remain neutral. Watch Caldonia closely, their ultimate actions
may very well aid you in formulating your final decisions.
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CONFIDENTAL YORKTON DATA SHEET

The following facts give you a background on Yorkton. Read and become familiar with them.
Keep the world situation in mind as you analyze these facts. Remember, this is confidential and
should not be seen by any other country. Your goal is to maintain peace if possible. You will be
called upon to present your decisions orally and in writing.

1. You possess and can raise a relatively large army. At the present time your army is not
very strong and is poorly trained, but you have the resources to increase its size and
strength quickly

2. Caldonia has been your long-time friend and you are partners in a military alliance. This
fact is known to the rest of the world.

3. You have publicly supported Bhakans stand for independence in opposition to

Penlandian intentions. In fact, you have signed a secret military alliance with them. They
promised to keep this secret unless you announce the existence of the alliance first.
4. You have a long-running feud with Penland over control of the mouth of the Makeshift
River. You control it a present, but fear that Penland may resort to force to gain control.

5. Your main industry has been your forest to the south. Morovia has made no attempt to
secure this area, but you have it from a good source that they are interested in making a
move in this direction in the near future.

6. You have no reason to doubt that Caldonia would come to your aid, if necessary. Of
course, if you are first required to defend Bahkan, by virtue of your secret alliance,
Caldonia may not recognize their alliance with you.

7. You must create an emotional state which would cause Caldonia to fear the intentions of
Penland. If Caldonia can be made to believe that Penland could ultimately threaten them,
they may be more likely to defend you despite your secret treaty with Bahkan. You will
need Caldonian support in the event of war.

8. Sandia could prove to be an important ally. Their government is weak, but their army is
very large. If hostilities broke out, they could be important on the southern Morovia
front, thereby, taking some of the pressure off you. You have discussed such an alliance
with Sandian officials and have offered to sign a treaty with them. They gave you no
answer yet, but you have hopes that they will sign.

9. Your hope is that Caldonia will keep their alliance, and Sandia will sign one. You believe
these alliances will cause Penland and Morovia to forget their desires to advance against
Bahkan and you.
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Name of country: ___________________________

After all the countries have read their proposal for dealing with the Bahkan crisis, you should
analyze their proposals and decide what your ultimate course of action will be. Your
ambassadors will have a limited period of time in which to talk with other nations to
compromise, negotiate, etc. After consulting with other nations, you will write a second state
paper which explains what actions your country will take. You may choose a number of
alternatives: a declaration of war, an ultimatum, alliance system, peace conference, etc. When
each nation has written their second state paper, the teacher will declare and end to the game,
and each nation will read what they actually planned to do.

SECOND STATE PAPER: (what will your country actually do in the Bahkan Crisis?)

Signed: _______________________
(Minister of State)
_______________________
(Secretary of State)
_______________________
(Ambassador)
_______________________
(Ambassador)
_______________________
(Ambassador)