Totalitarian Simulation

Mr. Tran

Get into your colored table.

RED TABLE

GREEN TABLE

BLUE TABLE

YELLOW TABLE

PURPLE TABLE

BLACK TABLE

Standard 11.7.2

2. Trace Stalin’s rise to power in the Soviet Union and the connection between economic policies, political policies, the absence of a free press, and systematic violations of human rights (e.g., the Terror Famine in Ukraine).

Anticipatory Set

Think/Pair/Share: What is totalitarianism?

Examples include…

Objective

Students will be able to understand what life would be like under a totalitarian regime by simulating it. Students will analyze their understanding of the simulation by asking a series of questions

If Super Mario was Propaganda

THE SIMULATION STARTS NOW.

Throughout the course of this “simulation”, you will experience what life will be like living in a totalitarian state.

Assigned Role

Roles are ***SECRET***. DO NOT SHOW ANYBODY YOUR CARD.

I AM YOUR SUPREME LEADER.

I control everything you do. I am the leader behind everything. You must do everything I say during the course of this activity to get credit for the day.

ENVELOPES

Examine the following pictures inside the envelope. Write down with your colored team the answers to the following questions:

1. Who is this?

2. What is my opinion of this person?

3. What are these pictures examples of?

THE BEST ANSWERS WILL GET PRIZES.

WORK

It is time to work. Winning team will get amazing prizes from the Supreme Leader.

THE ASSIGNMENT: Write a poem or song in dedication of the Supreme Leader. Do it now with your group.

ELECTIONS

It is now time to vote for a new Supreme Leader. You will each get a ballot and place your vote accordingly in secret.

The winner is…

SUPREME LEADER Tran has been re-elected for the 5th time.

TRAITORS

There is a traitor within your group. Discuss for the next five minutes you think it is. Vote on who you think it is.

Secret Police

I would like the secret police in each group to now escort the traitor to me, where they will stand trial for their crimes.

THE TRIAL

I will choose whether to sentence people to DEATH The Gulag (permanent

workcamps) Back to their homes

(innocent).

Student Engagement

Answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper

1. How does it feel living in a totalitarian state?

2. Would things be as obvious to you if your opinions were being controlled (through propaganda, etc.)?

3. What did you learn from the activity?

4. How did it feel voting in a rigged election and choosing a traitor from your own group?

FINISH EARLY: Complete rest of Packet.