This is a simulation game in the form of a town meeting which involves a town with people who are split in their allegiance to the King (Loyalists) or to the Continentals (Patriots). It is the early stages of war and the remaining townspeople have called an emergency meeting to discuss their individual views and experiences that will influence whether the town will support the Patriots or Tories.

The total activity encompasses two meetings interrupted by a fire. When townspeople return, varied individuals have received obstacles that might affect a change in their political allegiance.

It is the 1770s in a small town in Redding, Connecticut near the New York border. The people are rural farmers and small businessmen who earn their living through hard work. In the past, Redding was considered by all to be a Tory town. At this time in the war, a decision must be made as to which political side the town will support.

Will the town vote to support the Patriot or the Loyalist views? The Patriot and Loyalist armies will be getting closer to the site. Many members in each family have opposing views.

The town is too far away from other busy towns to get quick and accurate information of war happenings. The news is sparse and often inaccurate.

At tonight's meeting, at which all people present will have a vote, whether man, woman, or child, a decision will be made. Also present, at the request of the townspeople, is a guest Loyalist spokesperson and a guest Patriot spokesperson to recruit the town's aid and provide for their protection in the event the town decides to go their way.

1. The Town Moderator will conduct the meeting. This person is to remain impartial in any remarks made.

2. Each town member present must speak whether man, woman, or child.

3. Townspeople of the three groups in questions (Patriot, Loyalist, and Neutral) will meet as a group prior to the initiation of the meeting, give their name to the spokesperson for that group, and establish an order of speaking. The spokesperson will give that order of speaking to the moderator.

4. Each person present at the meeting will wear an identifying nametag.

1. Speaking out-of-turn brings that person the fine of not being able to vote. This penalizes his "side" when the vote is taken.

2. Meeting members must remain for the entire meeting and cannot be forced to leave even if they cannot vote.

1. A majority vote at the end of each meeting will determine the town's allegiance.

2. In case of an unexpected emergency, which quickly ends the meeting, a roll call voice vote will be taken and tallied.

OBSTACLES: [file]

1. Obstacles will be imposed upon certain townspeople between the first meeting and the second meeting. This new information might persuade characters to change their original allegiances. The people in question will reveal their change of opinion at the second meeting.

There are roles for 22 people. If more roles are needed, create a balanced representation of Patriots, Loyalists, and Neutral players.

INSTRUCTOR'S PROCEDURE: [ File]

OBSTACLE CARD HANDED TO THE MODERATOR BY THE INSTRUCTOR TO BE READ FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER THE TOWNSPEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN AND ARE READY TO TAKE THE VOTE: (Read out loud with expression)

"I have just been handed this note which is of great concern to us.

The storage barn at the end of town is on fire and all people are needed to help put the fire out!

May I, as the moderator, suggest a tentative voice, roll call vote be taken at this time and that a second meeting be called one month from the nearest Tuesday of the month, to decide our final conclusion as to where our allegiance will go.

Please, cooperate and answer with an "Aye" voice vote if you are willing to vote now and have a follow-up meeting to discuss the vote at a later time.

Vote "Nay" if you want to vote now and have the follow-up meeting now also instead of going to put out the fire.

Record each person's vote as Patriot, Loyalist, or Neutral as you call the name.

SIMULATION ROLES [File]

People have received obstacles during the month. Please have the instructor hand out the obstacles and allow the people 10-15 minutes to deal with them in their groups. The same agenda will be followed for this meeting allowing each person to speak of recent incidents which might have altered a previous feeling. When all have spoken, take a simple majority roll call vote to determine the allegiance of the town.

Record each person's vote as Patriot, Loyalist, or Neutral as you call the name.

Discuss how the people felt as the people they were portraying. What was the difference between the first vote and the second vote after obstacles were imposed on specific individuals?

A discussion of what might happen to those who differed with the vote might occur:

1. Move your home and belongings to a town of your own convictions.

2. Be placed on a reserved area within the town limits where they could be under scrutiny of the townspeople and yet live their lives.

3. As townspeople, you could plan future meetings to decide what to do with the dissenters or what the dissenters might want to do, as the original meeting was only to determine the position the town would take concerning their pro or con vote on the war.

A discussion of what you, living in the 1700s, would do in a similar situation.

A discussion of what you, living in 1999-2000, would do in a similar situation.

As of December 4, 2003, you are visitor to attempt this town simulation.

The original works contained on these pages may not be duplicated without expressed written permission of Marjorie Duby, except where otherwise noted. All rights reserved.