The American Revolution: A Role Play Simulation
The American colonies in 1775 are in turmoil. Colonists, particularly white and wealthy ones, were angry at the taxes imposed on various good and imports. Violent disputes between colonists and the British authorities break out, and the colonists question their relationship with their “mother country.” The Boston “Massacre”, and especially The Battle of Bunker Hill, made the work of those chosen to represent each colony in the Second Continental Congress more urgent. Who would pay and lead this potential war against the British? Is separating from the British the right way to go?
At the point we begin our role play, the Continental Congress had not yet declared war on Britain; they still denied that the gathering troops and supplies was not about an aspiration of independence but rather a statement of rejection of the authority of Parliament. People in the colonies began to form their own opinions about what the future of the colonies should be. Some wanted to remain a colony of Britain and believed that a war was necessary to do so. Some wanted to remain neutral in the conflict. Some wanted to gain independence from Britain with armed conflict.
In our role play, groups of students looked at the perspectives that colonists, enslaved and free black people, and Native people might have had in each of the options. People from all backgrounds had reasons to want all three outcomes for the colonies. Student groups worked together to come up with a 5 minute opening statement, and then they worked to anticipate and create questions for the opposing options. They also created questions from “Concerned Bystanders” who were real people living in the colonies at the time.
Please enjoy listening to our debate! Also, you can read the participants prepared speeches and questions using the links below.
What do you think? How did the debate play out and would that have been a realistic outcome in the 1770s? Do you think that the colonies should have gone in a different direction? Whose voices should have been considered more thoroughly? Please comment below!