Entry into World War I
U.S. HISTORY
The World War I role-play takes place in early 1917 as America struggles with what role it should take in the Great War happening in Europe. As students respond to pressures from both the Allied and Central powers, they must tackle the question: What role should America play in the world?
Students then debate and vote on three key issues:
Neutrality - Should America take sides in the war?
Economy - How should America balance economic growth and neutrality?
Security - What’s the best way to ensure our national security?
At the end of the VOXPOP, an epilogue video lays out what actually happened.
GET STARTED
Role-plays take roughly 60-90 minutes for a class to play through. To run the role-play over multiple days, use the link VOXPOP will send you to re-open your session.
Create a different session for each class that you intend to use this role-play with.
Not sure how sessions work? Feel free to create a session and step through it to get a feel for the role-play. You can create as many sessions as you need.
PREPARE TO LEAD THE ROLE-PLAY BY REVIEWING THIS OUTLINE
OUTLINE
The VOXPOP software will deliver this content to students during the role-play. Use this outline to familiarize yourself with the content of the scenario, the roles students will be assigned and the choices they will be asked to make.
DETAILS
Students: 6 to 50
Running Time: 70-90 minutes (the role-play can be broken into multiple sessions)
FACILITATION GUIDE
BACKGROUND
This video provides historical context.
ROLES
Students are assigned to the following groups:
Pacifists
The horrors of war have inspired a growing movement for world peace. Pacifists believe America has the chance to end war altogether. America must stay neutral and work to bring an end to the war.
Progressives
For the past 20 years, Progressive activists have fought to improve democracy and make life better for ordinary Americans. They fear the war could undo these reforms and divert attention from pressing domestic issues.
Internationalists
Liberal Internationalists believe America should use diplomacy and military readiness to promote stability and security worldwide. They argue that America must engage globally to uphold democratic values and protect international peace.
Preparedness Advocates
For Preparedness advocates, war is inevitable and America is dangerously unprepared. They argue creating a strong military is the only way to protect the country and maintain world order.
THE ISSUES
These videos will provide students with more detailed background on specific issues.
Neutrality
Should America take sides in the war?
Proposals students consider:
International Peace Conference
Use America’s neutral position to convene belligerents & neutral countries and negotiate an armistice and disarmament.
Condemn Invasion of Belgium
Publicly denounce Germany’s actions as a violation of international law and moral and democratic principles.
Economy
How should America balance economic growth and neutrality?
Proposals students consider:
Demand End to Sub Warfare
Give ultimatum to Germany to stop targeting merchant and passenger ships or face diplomatic and economic consequences.
Stop Arms Trade
Pause trade of arms and goods to all belligerents, signaling America’s neutrality and commitment to international law.
Security
What’s the best way to ensure our national security?
Proposals students consider:
Fund International Police Force
Invest in an international police organization to maintain global peace and enforce international law.
Increase Military Budget
Increase Army and Navy budgets and train troops to ensure the U.S. is prepared to defend itself against any threats
EPILOGUE
A short video that lets students know what really happened.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Here are a few suggested discussion questions to pose at the end of the role-play. Please feel free to use your own.
What role should America play in the world?
Does America have a responsibility to intervene in crises around the world?
CREDITS
Production
Frances Starn
Mattia Romeo
Greg Trefry
Teacher Toolkit
Frances Starn
Sources
Lanctot, Neil. The Approaching Storm: Roosevelt, Wilson, Addams, and Their Clash Over America’s Future. Dutton, 2021.
Media
Aussie~mobs
Bibliothèque nationale de France
British Library
Imperial War Museums
Library of Congress
Missouri Historical Society
Museum of New Zealand
National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
National Museum of the U.S. Navy
The Newberry Library
New York Public Library, Digital Collections
Spaarnestad Photo
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
Wikimedia Commons
Special Thanks
Christine Bowen
Erin Merrill
Theresa Buczek