Genghis Khan Trial (B)
Next Friday (11/18) in AP World History we will be putting the Mongol leader Genghis Khan on trial. Genghis Kahn will be charged with the following crimes:
- Excessively brutal tactics
- The destruction of Eurasian cities
- The mass slaughter of citizens throughout Eurasia
ROLES
Here will be the roles for the trial.
Judge: Mr. Scisco
Genghis Khan: Grace
Defense Attorneys (3): Emma, Spencer & Claire
Prosecution Attorneys (3): Jackson, Charlie & Sadie
Witnesses:Kyle (Eurasian Villager – Prosecution Witness)
Peyton (Modern Historian – Defense Witness)
Barrett (Mongol Citizen – Defense Witness)
Lillian Detillion (Chinese Citizen – Prosecution Witness)
Jurors (13): Pierce, Adam, Rachel, Evey, Ben, D’Shon, Kelsey, Lilly Dalton, Jacob, Daniel, Kaela, Shelbi, Chris
FORMAT OF THE TRIAL
1. Opening statements by the prosecution and defense attorneys (2-3 minutes for each side)
2. Prosecution calls its first witness (Three and a half minute time limit)
3. Defense cross-examination of first witness (Three and a half minute time limit)
4. Prosecution calls its second witness (Three and a half minute time limit)
5. Defense cross-examination of second witness (Three and a half minute time limit)
6. Defense calls first witness (Three and a half minute time limit)
7. Prosecution cross-examination of first witness (Three and a half minute time limit)
8. Defense calls its second witness (Three and a half minute time limit)
9. Prosecution cross-examination of second witness (Three and a half minute time limit)
10. Defense calls Genghis Khan to testify (Three and a half minute time limit)
11. Prosecutions cross-examines Genghis Khan (Three and a half minute time limit)
12. Closing statements by prosecution & defense attorneys (2-3 minutes for each side)
13. Charge to the jury for a verdict, deliberations, and announcement of the verdict
RESEARCH
We will be in the computer lab this week, which will give you time to do research for your side for this project.
Genghis Khan:You need to write a two page paper on this topic: “Genghis Khan and his descendants were civilized conquerors and rulers in the 13th and 14th centuries.” You also need to work with your defense team on what questions they can ask you at trial.
Defense Attorneys:You need to research reasons why Genghis Khan is innocent of the charges. Your grade will be performance based, so it will be based on your argumentation, questions to witnesses, and effective use of time during the trial (e.g. do not simply use one minute for a witness).
Prosecution Attorneys:You need to research reasons why Genghis Khan is guilty of the charges. Your grade will be performance based, so it will be based on your argumentation, questions to witnesses, and effective use of time during the trial (e.g. do not simply use one minute for a witness).
Witness—Eurasian Villager:You should research the lifestyle of a Eurasian (best to choose Russia or someone from Eastern Europe) villager during the 1200s (how life was in a village, how you ate, etc.). You should also research how Genghis Khan impacted the lifestyles of the people he conquered in Eurasia. You should write out these findings in a two page paper. You should also work with the prosecution team for the trial and the questions you will answer.
Witness—Modern Historian:You should research how historians treat the Mongols and what benefits they think they might have had for Asian society (i.e. economics, stability, etc.). You can also dive into how the Mongols changed attitudes toward governance and military tactics. You should write out these findings in a two page paper and should work with the defense team for the trial and the questions you will answer.
Witness—Mongol Citizen:You should research how the Mongols viewed Genghis Khan and the lifestyle of a Mongol citizen (in other words how they lived). You should discuss the benefits that Genghis Khan brought to Mongol society as well. These findings should be reflected in a two page paper and you should work with the defense team for the trial and the questions you will answer.
Witness---Chinese Citizen:You should research how the Mongols treated the Chinese after they conquered them. You should discuss the changes that the Mongols brought to China as well in a two page paper and you should also work with the prosecution team for the trial and the questions you will answer.
Jurors:You should research the charges against Genghis Khan and write a two page paper that discusses whether you think Genghis Khan is guilty of the charges or not based on historical evidence.
All papers should include a brief bibliography of sources at the end, with the source cited in Chicago style. If you cite a source, you should do so in parentheticals that have the author and page number (Strayer, 312) or if you have an Internet source the name of the website (Mr. Scisco’s webpage) at the end of sentences where you are borrowing information. Copying text from a website and submitting it as your own work will be considered plagiarism and you will receive a zero.
GRADING
Genghis Khan:Testimony (50%)2 Page Paper for the Trial (50%)
Defense Attorneys:Presentation of Case (100%)
Prosecution Attorneys:Presentation of Case (100%)
Witnesses:Testimony (50%)2 Page Paper for the Trial (50%)
Jurors: Trial Charts/Verdict (50%)2 Page Paper for the Trial (50%)
If you are not here on Thursday for the trial, you will have to write a 5 page paper on whether or not Genghis Khan is guilty of the charges. This will be due when you return and will not be accepted beyond that date. Therefore, it is to your benefit to be here next Thursday.
EXTRA CREDIT
You may earn extra credit for your role in the trial by dressing up as your figure would. This means that Genghis Khan can look like a Mongol, the defense attorneys/prosecution attorneys can wear suits, the witnesses can look like their roles, and the jurors can wear suits or other presentable and professional attire.