Alliances and the build up to the First World War: diplomatic simulation role-play

Last updated: 15/11/2023
Contributor: Andrew Goodlad
Alliances and the build up to the First World War: diplomatic simulation role-play
Main Subject
Key stage
Category
History
Resource type
Complete lesson
Role play/debate/discussion
Concepts and methods
Cause and consequence

A lively simulation with students in role as countries negotiating alliances prior to the First World War. The countries are Great Britain, Serbia, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary and France.  Full teaching notes and print-outs explain how to put this interactive lesson into action in your classroom. Note passing compulsory!

All reviews

Have you used this resource?

5

02/03/2021

5

24/02/2021

5

29/04/2020

5

20/03/2020

5

02/03/2021

5

24/02/2021

5

29/04/2020

5

20/03/2020

Message to Heather - yes the students need to know which group represents which country before you embark upon the activity so they know who to approach. I give each group a flag to sit on their table to avoid confusion when they are circulating with their notes. It's also important for each group to say which country they represent, on their notes which they write, in order to avoid confusion.

Andrew Goodlad

22/11/2019

5

22/10/2019

Question, Do the groups all know who the other groups are ahead of time?

Heather Schroeder

14/10/2019

5

23/09/2019

I have not used this material from a teacher's perspective. My teacher used this in 2004 during my freshman year of high school and I never forgot it. It struck such a cord with me that it fueled my interest in history to eventually major in it. I'm so happy to finally find this! Teachers, I recommend this content. Thank you to the creator, truly.

Johan Pacheco

21/05/2019

My students loved this activity. It was easy for us to figure out and it really drove home some important concepts.

Myra Frazer

15/02/2019