Teacher notes ×
Purpose of the simulation
This interactive simulation places students in the position of an adviser during the American Civil War (1861–1865). Across 11 stages, they confront the political, military and economic problems facing the Union under Abraham Lincoln or the Confederacy under Jefferson Davis. Students can play one side individually, or use the two-player option to compare the Union and Confederate campaigns.
At each stage, students make a historical decision and discover what happened. They then complete a source interpretation challenge and a factual knowledge question. The game rewards historically informed decision-making, accurate source interpretation and factual understanding; the final results provide separate scores for these areas.
Using the student worksheet
The accompanying worksheet is designed to be used alongside the simulation , not simply afterwards. Students should keep it open or have a printed copy available, recording key events, people and explanations as they progress through the stages.
Task 1: The Battles of the Civil War – students build a narrative overview of the main events and generals of the war.Task 2: Why did the North win? – students analyse the military, political and economic factors that contributed to the Union victory.
Students can work on either task as they play, then develop their explanations individually, in pairs or in small groups. The worksheet also provides extension and follow-up activities.
Certificate of achievement
At the end of the campaign, students can generate a personalised certificate. They enter their name, and the game creates a certificate featuring a randomly selected Civil War illustration, their campaign and their scores for historical decision-making, factual knowledge and source skills. The certificate opens in a new tab; students can use the browser's print dialogue to Save as PDF or print it.
Open student worksheet ↗
