Historical Basis
The historical basis for this game is largely taken from the American Civil War, a conflict lasting from 1861 to 1865, which was fought between the northern states, the Union, and the southern states, the Confederacy. The reasons behind the American Civil War have been extensively researched by historians who have determined that there isn’t a single cause for the war; rather, several intertwined factors led to its emergence. These include sectionalism, political incompetence, theories about slave power, economic disputes, and abolitionist movements. Slavery is one of the best-known causes of the war. It was a sustainable income system that was highly profitable for southern slave owners, resulting in a higher rate of return and presenting capital as an alternative investment. Without the emancipation brought about by the American Civil War, it would have remained economically beneficial because the conditions of enslaved African Americans were significantly different from those of free citizens in antebellum America. By 1860, slavery represented an attractive method of capital investment (Gunderson, 1974). However, the operation of slavery was not nationally held as the future of America, where the southern states maintained that it was necessary for the functioning of the country, the northern states opposed this (Randall & Donald, 2016). The controversy that ignited the war continued after its end, and even today, the Civil War remains a contentious topic (David, 2011).
The Lost Cause myth, which originated with Edward Pollard’s The Lost Cause: A New Southern History of the War of the Confederates, played a significant part in shaping the public memory of the Civil War. It perpetuated the idea that the war was a struggle against an oppressive federal government, and it portrayed the antebellum South as a place of romance and chivalry. However, in the same way monuments often do, Pollard was attempting to shape the views of those living in the present about a past event. The Confederacy was not opposed to a federal government; in fact, before the Civil War, southern leaders had used federal power to enforce pro-slavery laws to force Northern states to adhere to the Fugitive Slave Act. Similarly, it is also untrue that the war was one of opposition to a federal government; Confederate documents and speeches make it explicitly clear that the war was about slavery. When Confederacy states, such as Georgia and Mississippi issued their Declaration of Causes detailing the reasons for their succession, they both directly named slavery as a leading cause with Georgia stating, “The prohibition of slavery in the Territories is the cardinal principle of this organization” (“Confederate States of America – Georgia Secession”, 1861) and Mississippi stating, “Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery” (“A Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of the State of Mississippi From the Federal Union,” 1861).
Despite the defeat of the Confederacy though, in 1868 then President Andrew Johnson issued a pardon to all Confederate soldiers who fought in the war. Nearly a decade later, at the same time the first Jim Crow laws were put in place, Confederate monuments started to be built. These monuments were messages of cultural power as seen with the selective memorialization of figures such as Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Today, statues of Lee have come under fire for what they represent and are being removed across the United States. These removals have been met with criticism, citing how this is erasing history and heritage, though the proponents of their removal argue that they only serve to glorify slavery and white supremacy. The debate centers around how the past is remembered, who is honored, and the values monuments to them uphold and it is this controversy that the game aims to explore.
Game Timeline
Plot:
Soon after the American Civil War concluded, a statue was erected honoring Captain John Christopher, a general who is credited with ending the war in the town of Mondas. To some of the townspeople, Christopher is a national hero who brought peace to the town and is deserving of the statue. To others, although he was important in ending the conflict, his methods were cruel and unjust, and the statue glorifies this trauma.
Now, amidst a growing outcry against the statue, players representing both sides of this argument, veterans of the war, politicians, and activists alike, must work together to decide whether the statue should remain or be removed.
Day 1 (Introduction):
- The GM introduces the plot of the game as well as the historical context, and assigns and distributes character sheets to the players.
- Each player introduces their character, sharing who they are, how the war and memorial have affected them, and if they think the statue should stay or be removed.
- Players should make in-game decisions based on their character and their character’s experiences and beliefs, regardless of whether they differ from the player’s own.
- At the end of day 1, a preliminary vote is held on whether the memorial comes down or stays up. Players do not have to vote with their assigned side, instead they should let the testimonies of that day impact their vote.
Day 2 (Debate and Final Decision): Day 2 heavily depends on the outcome of day 1
If the majority voted to remove the statue:
- The players must agree on an argument for its removal.
- Their argument must be a strong counter for the common arguments used to keep memorials, such as those from Fallen Idols by Alex von Tunzelmann: “The Erasure of History”, “The Man of His Time”, “The Importance of Law and Order”, and “The Slippery Slope”.
If the majority voted to keep the statue:
- The players must discuss possible additions and compromises for the statue that meet the needs and wants of each character.
- Should there be plaques?
- How will changes to the statue impact public memory of the war?
Final Part of Day 2
- After 30 minutes of discussion on either arguments for removal or additions to the statue, 15 minutes will be left for free debate once more on the statue’s removal.
- A final vote will be held in which there must be a majority.
- At the end of the vote, the GM will read the historical consequences of the decision regarding the statue made by the players.
Historical Consequences
Statue comes down:
- Themes: Public memory will focus on the harm and cost of war, the tragedies and injustices that occur during it. Victims will feel seen and veterans may feel overlooked. The removal of the statue will not end the war or its legacy, but it will be a start in reckoning with it.
- GM Speech: “The people of Mondas take the statue down. The Against side are celebratory, this is a step toward a narrative that includes the voices of those that were victimized during the war. It is a public acknowledgement that the end of the war is not the end of the violence and the trauma. In the future, historians will look back on this Civil War as a national failure to uphold equal rights and protections among its citizens, one that brought to light the moral divides among its people. Christopher will not be remembered as much as the harm of the war will be. The lack of a statue itself may even become a monument to reflection and justice, a Damnatio Memorariae, not erasing the memory of the war, instead serving as a reminder that someone was removed from history and why.”
Statue stays up:
- Themes: Public memory will focus on how the war was although difficult, necessary and just, and the outcomes outweigh the harm caused. The veterans will feel honored, and there might even be a sense of collective pride, however the dissenters and victims will feel invalidated. The statue will become a monument to morality and legacy.
- GM Speech: “The people of Mondas keep the statue where it is (if changes have been made, list them here). The For side is grateful, their sacrifice has been memorialized for decades to come, and the statue will continue to symbolize their resolve, patriotism, and valor. However, it also serves as a reminder of the difficult choices they had to make to secure peace for their town and country. It will serve as a reminder for future generations as well of how difficult decisions can lead to better outcomes. The veterans and their descendents feel proud, honored. The Against side, the victims and the dissenters feel the monument memorializes a glorified version of the war that does not include the suffering they endured, and which they must continue to. They continue to protest the monument as well keeping the controversy alive with the statue. In the future, historians will look back on the Civil War as contested, yet crucial in the country’s history. It will be a place of national pride and power and shame.”
Rules
Playing the Game
Players act out the roles on the character sheets provided at the start of the game. This is a live-action role-playing game designed for the classroom. Civil Strife: A Controversial Monument is a historical educational game that aids in students’ understanding of historical narrative and public memory in post-war monuments. The game relies on teamwork and strategic thinking in order for players to determine how best to design a memorial honoring the American Civil War.
Game Overview
- Duration: Civil Strife: A Controversial Monument is a two-day game lasting about 60 minutes per session.
- Players: 8-10 players aged 13 up.
Learning Objectives
- Gives players a better understanding of how wars are remembered and who controls historical memory.
- Helps players consider how memorials will be interpreted by future generations.
Rules for Game Master (GM)
- The GM may not tell players of possible outcomes of votes and decisions during the game.
Rules for Players
- Players may not share their role sheet, as this is a direct violation of the game and could compromise the validity of the game.
- Players are allowed to meet and communicate outside of the classroom to make alliances and develop plans for potential designs.
- Characters may use deception in roleplay.
- In order to speak in full-class discussion, players must wait to be recognized by the GM in order to speak.
- If there are fewer than 10 players:
- With 8 total players, the roles of The Priest and The Activist may not be used
- With 9 total players, the role of either The Priest or The Activist will be assigned to the ninth player. They will play this role as neutral.
Ending the Game
- Voting is determined by majority rule. If there is ever a tie, additional voting rounds will be held until a majority is established.
- Votes are counted by the GM.
- Voting will occur at the end of the session on the final day of the game.
- After voting is completed on the second day of gameplay, the GM reads out the consequences of the class’ decision.
Winning the Game
- The game will be won by the For side if the majority votes for the monument to remain intact and unchanged.
- The game will be won by the Against side if the majority votes for the monument to be removed.
Character Role Sheets
Character that are For:
- Role: Decorated War Veteran
- Name: General Rhea Ripley
- Background: Rhea is a retired general who served during the American Civil War. Her family lineage comes from a long line of military personnel, and she has devoted herself to honoring the sacrifices these soldiers have given in the line of duty to honor the freedom of her country.
- Motivations: Rhea strongly believes in the importance of honoring the memory of those who have bravely fought. She sees this upcoming statue as a symbol of courage and unity.
- Role: Historian and Preservationist
- Name: Dr. Julia Bashir
- Background: Dr. Julia Bashir is a well-renowned academic specialist in 19th-century American History. She has published several books on the American Civil War and its impact on modern society.
- Motivations: Dr. Julia Bashir is very passionate about the preservation of historical artifacts; she believes in the argument that removal of these artifacts risks erasing the history of them which in turn erases the lessons that we learn from them to prevent history from repeating itself.
- Role: Economist
- Name: Charles Whitman
- Background: Mr. Witman is an economist who has a concentration iin both local economic development and tourism. His job is to confer with cities on ways that they can capitalize on historical sites for economic growth.
- Motivations: Witman’s priorities focus on the economic gains and profit that historical landmarks bring to communities, especially through the usage of tourism.
- Role: Priest (alternative neutral)
- Name: Samuel Carter
- Background: Father Samuel Carter is a spiritual guide and the local community’s leader. He has engaged in significant work that is related to the reconciliation in post-conflict conditions He is best known for his messages on restoration and forgiveness.
- Motivations: Father Carter sees the statue as a way to promote his teachings on unity and healing among divided communities.
- Role: Politician
- Name: Senator Olivia Moore
- Background: Senator Moore is a veteran politician with a concentration in cultural heritage and education. Her involvement in the statue is in the legislative efforts to make sure the historical site is being preserved.
- Motivations: Senator Moore believes that learning about this history will contribute to a stronger national identity and prevent past mistakes from being repeated.
Characters that are against:
- Role: Researcher on War History
- Name: Professor Henry Clark
- Background: Professor Clark prides himself on his academics in the critical analysis of war narratives and the severity of the impacts it has on society. He has written many pieces of literature on the ethics of war commemoration.
- Motivations: Professor Clark strongly advocates for the importance of understanding history that isn’t just about the glorification of conflict and violence.
- Role: Survivor of the War
- Name: Scarlett Johansson
- Background: Scarlett is a civilian who witnessed and lived through the war, experiencing these violent acts firsthand. Because of this, she actively advocates for justice and peace among nations
- Motivations: Scarlett is motivated by her personal experiences of losing her loved ones in the war; her husband was a soldier in the war, and she seeks to honor him and everyone who has suffered and lost loved ones in the war, especially to honor the memories of fallen soldiers and civilian casualties.
- Role: Community Organizers
- Name: Glen Rhee
- Background: Gleen is an activist who focuses on empowering the community and social justice. He works to make sure that the marginalized voices are consistently heard.
- Motivations: Glenn’s goal is to create an inclusive space that is a representation of everyone’s perspectives, more so for those who have been historically forgotten and overlooked
- Role: Activist (alternative neutral)
- Name: Sarah Gray
- Background: Sarah is known as a passionate advocate on the importance of human equality and rights. Her campaigns go against symbols that preach oppression and exclusion.
- Motivations: Sarah is strongly against forms of propaganda that will distort history and marginalize certain groups.
- Role: History Lawyer
- Name: James Kirk
- Background: Kirk is a legal expert who specializes in human rights law and the importance of historical preservation. Cases that he typically represents involve controversial monuments.
- Motivations: Kirk has high concerns about the ethical and legal implications of the maintenance of this statue and the potential justification and overlooking of historical injustices.
Work Cited
Gunderson, Gerald. “The Origin of the American Civil War.” The Journal of Economic History 34, no. 4 (1974): 915–50. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2116615.
J. G. Randall, and David Donald. The Civil War and Reconstruction. 2nd ed. Pickle Partners Publishing, 2016. https://ia601502.us.archive.org/10/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.110811/2015.110811.The-Civil-War-And-Reconstruction-Edition-Second_text.pdf.
The Avalon Project. “A Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of the State of Mississippi From the Federal Union,” 1861. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_missec.asp.
The Avalon Project. “Confederate States of America – Georgia Secession,” January 29, 1861. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_geosec.asp.
Von Drehle, David. “150 Years After Fort Sumter: Why We’re Still Fighting the Civil War.” TIME, April 7, 2011. https://time.com/archive/6595572/150-years-after-fort-sumter-why-were-still-fighting-the-civil-war/.
