Overview
Every player engages the class through oral participation (speaking in Reichstag sessions and caucusing), writing (two papers), and visual creativity (campaign poster).
Three Core Components
| Assignment | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Participation | Speeches, debates, caucusing | 40% |
| Writing Assignments | Two papers (2-3 pages each) | 40% |
| Presidential Poster | Visual campaign material | 20% |
Role-Specific Requirements
Your role sheet will specify:
- When you must speak (some characters have mandatory speeches)
- What topics your papers should address
- Your preferred presidential candidate for the poster
- Your victory objectives (factional and personal)
Oral Participation
You will engage orally in two ways: formal speeches before the Reichstag and informal caucusing during breaks.
Formal Speeches in the Reichstag
Frequency Requirements
Depending on class size, the instructor will inform you how often and at what length you must speak to receive full credit:
- Smaller classes (15-20 students): Speak on a daily basis (every session)
- Larger classes (20-30 students): Speak at least once per week
- Very large classes (30+ students): Requirements will be adjusted
Your speeches should range from 2-5 minutes depending on the topic and context.
What Makes a Good Speech?
Content
- Historical accuracy: Grounded in the sources and historical context
- Ideological consistency: Reflects your party's position and core texts
- Engagement with the debate: Responds to other speakers and advances the discussion
- Evidence: Cites specific facts, documents, or principles
- Persuasiveness: Makes a clear argument for a specific position
Delivery
- Stay in character: Speak as your character would
- Address the chamber: Speak to other Reichstag members, not the instructor
- Passion appropriate to topic: Some issues demand outrage; others require measured analysis
- Respect the podium rule: Follow the Speaker's directions
- Manage your time: Make your point efficiently
Mandatory Speeches
Some characters are required to speak on specific topics:
- Alfred Hugenberg (DNVP): Presents the Freedom Law (Session 1)
- Defense Minister von Schleicher: Presents the Naval Bill (Session 1)
- Chancellor Hermann Müller (SPD): Presents the Young Plan (Session 2)
- Economic Minister Eduard Dingeldey (DVP): Presents Austerity (Session 2)
- Clara Zetkin (KPD): Delivers the "First Address" after any Reichstag election (as eldest member)
- Cabinet members: Present ministerial reports as assigned by the GM
Caucusing (Informal Debate)
During caucus breaks (in-class recesses from formal Reichstag debates), you should:
- Approach other players to convince them of your agenda
- Reiterate your position in private conversations
- Cut deals and horse-trade ("I'll vote for your tariff bill if you support my paramilitary ban")
- Threaten and cajole (within reason and in character)
- Consult with the GM if you need clarification
- Prepare to use your powers (emergency decrees, motions, etc.)
Active Use of Caucuses Is Essential to Success
Many of the most important decisions happen during caucuses, not formal debates. This is where coalitions are built, deals are made, and crises are resolved.
Decorum
Remember: There is no protocol for behavior in the Reichstag. You may:
- Heckle
- Interject
- Voice loud support or opposition
- Walk out
- Participate in mass demonstrations
However: You must identify yourself by name, party affiliation, and ministry portfolio (if applicable) when speaking formally at the podium.
Writing Assignments
You will write two papers (2-3 pages each) on topics related to your character's concerns and the debates facing the Reichstag.
General Requirements
Length and Format
- Length: 2-3 pages (approximately 600-900 words)
- Format: Double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins
- Citations: Chicago/Turabian style (footnotes or endnotes)
- Sources: Must draw on Core Texts and factional readings
Paper Topics
Your role sheet defines your specific paper topics. These are customized to your character's position and party affiliation.
In general, papers will address one of the major debate topics:
- Foreign Relations (Freedom Law, Young Plan, Poland)
- Military Affairs (Naval Bills, Paramilitaries)
- Race and Culture (Antisemitism, Censorship)
- Industrial Relations (Austerity, Nationalization)
- Agricultural Affairs (Grain Tariffs, Farmers' Relief)
What Makes a Good Paper?
Argument and Analysis
- Clear thesis: State your character's position upfront
- Historical evidence: Use specific facts, documents, and examples
- Ideological consistency: Argue from your party's perspective using Core Texts
- Engagement with opposition: Acknowledge and refute counterarguments
- Strategic thinking: Consider political consequences, coalition dynamics, public opinion
Use of Sources
- Core Texts: Cite ideological frameworks (Marx, conservatism, liberalism, fascism)
- Historical Background: Draw on specific historical context
- Supplemental Documents: Use primary sources relevant to your topic
- Factional Readings: Incorporate party-specific materials provided by GM
- Outside research (optional): Your role sheet bibliography suggests additional sources
Writing From Your Character's Perspective
You are not writing as yourself. You are writing as your character.
Tips for Role-Playing in Writing
DO:
- Use first person when appropriate ("As a member of the SPD, I believe...")
- Argue from your party's ideological position
- Consider your character's specific concerns and goals
- Acknowledge the political realities your character faces
DON'T:
- Break character to critique your own party
- Use hindsight (you don't know what happens after 1932)
- Argue positions inconsistent with your party's ideology
- Write as if you're a modern observer looking back
Sample Paper Prompts
Example 1: Austerity (SPD Perspective)
Prompt: Should the Reichstag cut unemployment benefits to balance the budget? Defend the SPD's position using Marxist principles and the party's commitment to workers.
What to include:
- Why workers are not responsible for the crisis
- Why unemployment insurance is a right, not a privilege
- How austerity deepens recession (Marxist economic analysis)
- Alternative solutions (tax the wealthy, cut military spending)
- Political consequences if SPD betrays workers
Example 2: Freedom Law (DNVP Perspective)
Prompt: Should the Reichstag pass the Freedom Law? Defend the DNVP's position using conservative nationalist principles.
What to include:
- Why Versailles is unjust and illegitimate
- Why compliance with the treaty legitimizes "enslavement"
- How Erfüllungspolitik has failed to restore German honor
- Why German sovereignty requires rejecting Versailles
- Why national honor matters more than international goodwill
Example 3: Antisemitism (DDP Perspective)
Prompt: Should the Reichstag condemn antisemitism? Defend the liberal democratic position.
What to include:
- Article 135 guarantees equal citizenship
- Antisemitism violates liberal principles of individual rights
- Jewish Germans are patriots and productive citizens
- Scapegoating minorities undermines democracy
- Germany's international reputation requires defending civil rights
Due Dates
Papers will be due at various points during the game, timed to coincide with Reichstag debates:
| Paper | Typical Due Date | Related Debate |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Before Session 2 or 3 | Freedom Law, Young Plan, Austerity, Naval Bills |
| Paper 2 | Before Session 4 or 5 | Antisemitism, Grain Tariffs, Censorship, Nationalization |
Exact due dates will be announced by your instructor based on your specific role and class schedule.
Grading Rubric for Papers
| Criterion | Excellent (A) | Good (B) | Satisfactory (C) | Needs Improvement (D/F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argument | Clear, sophisticated thesis with nuanced analysis | Clear thesis with solid analysis | Basic thesis, limited analysis | Unclear or missing thesis |
| Evidence | Extensive use of sources; persuasive examples | Good use of sources; relevant examples | Some sources cited; basic examples | Few or no sources; weak examples |
| Role-Playing | Fully in character; ideologically consistent | Mostly in character; generally consistent | Partially in character; some inconsistencies | Out of character; ideologically confused |
| Historical Understanding | Sophisticated grasp of context and complexity | Good understanding of context | Basic understanding of context | Weak or inaccurate understanding |
| Writing Quality | Clear, engaging prose; error-free | Clear prose; few errors | Adequate prose; some errors | Unclear prose; many errors |
Presidential Election Poster
You must produce an election poster for the presidential election scheduled for Session 6 (unless preempted by a successful presidential recall referendum).
Requirements
Technical Specifications
- Size: Half poster board (14″ × 22″) unless otherwise specified
- Medium: Any (hand-drawn, digital print, collage, etc.)
- Language: German or English (German encouraged but not required)
- Content: Must clearly convey the candidate or party
Your Preferred Candidate
Your role sheet specifies your preferred candidate. This is the candidate your character supports.
Important: You are not obligated to vote for this candidate in the actual election. The poster represents your character's public position, but voting is by secret ballot.
Design Guidelines
Historical Aesthetics
Your poster should reflect the visual style of the Weimar era (1920s-early 1930s):
- Bold, simple graphics - High contrast, clear imagery
- Limited color palettes - Often black, red, and white; sometimes party colors
- Strong typography - Gothic (Fraktur) or bold sans-serif fonts
- Symbolic imagery - Flags, hammers and sickles, eagles, workers, soldiers
- Direct messaging - Clear slogans, minimal text
Research Historical Examples
You should look at actual Weimar election posters as models. These are readily available online:
- Google image search: "Weimar Republic election posters"
- Make sure your models are from BEFORE 1933
- Look for posters from your party (SPD, KPD, DNVP, Centre, etc.)
You may imitate historical models or create original designs in the same style.
Content Considerations
What to Include
- Candidate's name (or party if running under party banner)
- Key slogan or message (short and punchy)
- Visual symbolism relevant to candidate/party
- Call to action ("Vote for...", "Choose...", "Support...")
Effective Slogans
Good slogans are:
- Short: 3-7 words maximum
- Memorable: Easy to repeat
- Emotionally resonant: Appeals to fear, hope, pride, anger
- Clear: Obvious what the candidate stands for
Examples from Weimar-era campaigns:
- "For Freedom and Bread!" (KPD)
- "Workers of the World, Unite!" (KPD)
- "For God, Kaiser, Fatherland!" (DNVP)
- "The Third Reich!" (NSDAP - do NOT use this)
⚠️ Prohibited Content
Remember the simulation's ban on Nazi symbols and antisemitic discourse:
- NO swastikas
- NO antisemitic imagery (stereotypical Jewish caricatures, etc.)
- NO racial slurs
- NO Holocaust references (this hasn't happened yet in 1932)
You can depict the NSDAP without using Nazi symbols. Use their party colors (brown), text-based slogans, or generic nationalist imagery (eagles, flags).
How Posters Affect the Election
Your poster contributes to your candidate's campaign success:
- The GM (or class) ranks posters before the election
- High-quality posters give your candidate a bonus in the GM's election calculations
- Posters are displayed during the election session (hung in class or distributed digitally)
A great poster can make a difference in a close election!
Due Date
Campaign materials are produced BEFORE the election session:
- Typically: Due in Session 5 for elections in Session 6
- If recall referendum occurs earlier: Due date will be adjusted
Grading Rubric for Posters
| Criterion | Excellent (A) | Good (B) | Satisfactory (C) | Needs Improvement (D/F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Impact | Eye-catching, professional quality | Visually appealing, well-executed | Adequate visual appeal | Poor visual quality |
| Historical Accuracy | Authentic Weimar aesthetic; period-appropriate | Generally authentic aesthetic | Some period elements present | Anachronistic or inaccurate |
| Message Clarity | Message immediately clear and compelling | Message clear | Message somewhat clear | Message unclear or confusing |
| Creativity | Original, creative design | Some originality | Basic design | Minimal effort or creativity |
| Relevance | Perfectly captures candidate/party position | Captures candidate/party well | Somewhat relevant to candidate/party | Not relevant to candidate/party |
Victory Points and Winning the Game
You can win as an individual, as a faction (party), or as both. Your role sheet provides specific victory objectives.
Two Sets of Victory Objectives
1. Factional Objectives (Party Goals)
These are goals your entire party shares. Examples:
- SPD: Maintain the Grand Coalition; pass the Young Plan; preserve unemployment benefits
- DNVP: Pass the Freedom Law; defeat the Young Plan; increase Reichstag seats
- KPD: Provoke revolution; discredit the SPD; destabilize the Republic
- NSDAP: Gain seats; delegitimize parliamentary democracy; seize power
2. Personal Objectives (Individual Goals)
These are specific to your character. Examples:
- Become chancellor
- Get elected president
- Secure a cabinet position
- Pass a specific piece of legislation
- Prevent a specific outcome
- Maintain the Stability Index above/below a threshold
How Victory Is Determined
Points are awarded based on the status quo at the end of the game (Session 7).
Victory Points Score Card (Table 5)
Your role sheet will include a victory points scorecard customized to your character. Track your progress throughout the game:
| Objective | Points | Status |
|---|---|---|
| FACTIONAL OBJECTIVES | ||
| Young Plan passes | +10 | ☐ Achieved |
| Freedom Law defeated | +10 | ☐ Achieved |
| Party gains seats in elections | +5 per 10 seats | ☐ Achieved |
| Stability Index > +50 at game end | +15 | ☐ Achieved |
| PERSONAL OBJECTIVES | ||
| Become/remain chancellor | +20 | ☐ Achieved |
| Serve in cabinet | +10 | ☐ Achieved |
| Pass specific legislation | +15 | ☐ Achieved |
| Prevent specific legislation | +10 | ☐ Achieved |
| TOTAL POINTS | _______ | |
Note: This is an example scorecard. Your actual objectives will be specified in your role sheet.
Winning Strategies
Tips for Success
- Know your objectives: Keep your role sheet handy and track your progress
- Prioritize: You may not achieve all objectives - focus on the highest-value goals
- Build alliances: You need other players to vote with you
- Compromise strategically: Give ground on low-priority issues to gain support for high-priority ones
- Watch the Stability Index: Your objectives may depend on it
- Stay flexible: Circumstances change - adapt your strategy
- Play to win, but have fun: Sometimes simply staying in the game is a victory
Character Death and Respawning
If your character dies (assassination, illness, political irrelevance) or your party is eliminated, you don't lose automatically!
You respawn as a new character. The GM will inform you of your new role, and your victory objectives become those of your new character.
Grading Breakdown
Your final grade for the simulation is based on three components:
Overall Grade Distribution
| Component | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Participation | 40% | Speeches, debates, caucusing, character performance |
| Writing Assignments | 40% | Two papers (20% each) |
| Presidential Poster | 20% | Visual campaign material |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Oral Participation Breakdown (40%)
| Element | Percentage of Participation Grade |
|---|---|
| Frequency of speeches | 30% |
| Quality of speeches | 40% |
| Caucusing and coalition-building | 20% |
| Character consistency and role-playing | 10% |
Does Victory Matter for Your Grade?
No—Victory Points Are Separate from Your Grade
You can get an A even if you lose the game.
Your grade is based on:
- Quality of your speeches and writing
- Engagement with the material
- Historical accuracy
- Effort and participation
NOT on:
- Whether your party wins
- Whether you achieve your victory objectives
- Whether democracy survives
However: Active engagement in trying to win (building coalitions, making strategic moves, fighting for your objectives) demonstrates the kind of participation that earns high grades.
Late Work Policy
Papers: Late papers will be penalized 10% per day unless you have made prior arrangements with the instructor.
Poster: Must be submitted before the election session. Late posters cannot affect election outcomes and will receive reduced credit.
Speeches: You must meet minimum speech requirements. Missing mandatory speeches without excuse will significantly impact your participation grade.
Academic Integrity
All work must be your own. This includes:
- No plagiarism: All sources must be properly cited
- No AI-generated content: ChatGPT, etc. are not allowed for papers (though you may use them for research)
- No ghostwriting: Speeches must be your own work
Violations of academic integrity will result in a zero for the assignment and possible further disciplinary action.