Bystander Dilemma Presentation The Bystander Dilemma
From the Park to the World Stage
Grade 7-8 History & Civics
The Park Scenario
"You overhear a group saying mean things about someone. Then, they start targeting your best friend."
Do you intervene?
What factors make it hard to speak up?
How does the situation change when it's your friend vs. a stranger?
Prelude to War
Embedded media
Watch from 0:00 to 6:00. Pay attention to the "Bystander" analogy.
The Spanish Rift
Republicans
The "Popular Front" (Socialists, Communists, Anarchists)
Foreign Aid:
Supported by: USSR & International Volunteers
Nationalists
The "Falangists" (Monarchists, Church, Conservatives)
Foreign Aid:
Supported by: Nazi Germany & Italy
The Neutrality Paradox
"Why would the US and UK refuse to help a fellow democracy?"
Fear of War
Fear of Communism
Intervention Debate
Interventionists
• Democracy must be defended.
• Stop Fascism before it spreads.
• Moral obligation to help.
Isolationists
• Focus on domestic recovery (Depression).
• Avoid getting dragged into WW2.
• Not our war, not our problem.
"What would YOU decide?"
Final Reflection
"Chamberlain and Daladier were stunned as they realized that their attempts at appeasement had only delayed the inevitable."
Was the US right to stay neutral in the 1930s?
Bystander Dilemma Worksheet The Bystander Dilemma
History & Geopolitics: Spanish Civil War Case Study
Name:
Date:
1
The Park Scenario (Warm-up)
Think back to the analogy from the video. You see someone being bullied. It's uncomfortable, but you don't know them. Then, they start bullying your best friend.
What is the hardest part about deciding whether to "intervene" (speak up or step in)?
2
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
Republicans
Who were they? (Groups included):
Foreign Aid from:
Nationalists
Who were they? (Groups included):
Foreign Aid from:
The Neutrality Question:
The US, UK, and France chose not to help the Republicans. According to the video, what were the two main fears that stopped them?
3
Geopolitical Key Terms
Isolationism
A policy of remaining apart from the political affairs of other groups or countries.
Appeasement
Making concessions to an aggressor in order to avoid conflict or war.
Connection Challenge:
How is "Appeasement" like being a bystander in the bullying scenario?
4
Intervention Debate Notes
Capture the strongest argument from each side during the class debate.
Interventionist Argument:
Isolationist Argument:
Reflection Journal
Looking at the results (Hitler invading Poland in 1939), was the US right to stay neutral during the rise of fascism in the 1930s? Explain your reasoning.
Crossroads Scenario Cards Crossroads Scenarios
Intervention vs. Isolationism: The 1930s Debate
Debate Instructions
Divide into two groups: Interventionists (pro-action) and Isolationists (pro-neutrality). Use the scenarios below to build your arguments. Each scenario provides a perspective from a different "actor" in the 1930s drama.
The Democratic
Appeal
SPAIN, 1936
"We are a newly formed democracy under attack by a military coup. Hitler and Mussolini are sending planes and soldiers to destroy us. If the Western democracies—our 'friends'—do not help us now, who will be next? Is your 'neutrality' just a green light for dictators?"
Key Question:
Does a democracy have a moral duty to defend other democracies?
The Neutrality
Advocate
USA, 1937
"We just finished a World War that took thousands of our sons for 'democracy' and what did it get us? More debt and another crisis. We have millions of Americans out of work in the Great Depression. Our business is at home, not in a Spanish trench. Let Europe solve its own problems."
Key Question:
Is it selfish or responsible to prioritize your own citizens over foreign conflicts?
The Peace
Preserver
UK, 1938
"If we intervene in Spain, we risk a general European war. We are not ready. Our people are still traumatized by the trenches of 1914. By staying out (Non-Intervention), we contain the fire. We can talk Hitler down at the negotiating table. Peace at almost any price is better than war."
Key Question:
Is 'Appeasement' a strategy for peace or a delay of the inevitable?
The Global
Citizen
VARIOUS, 1937
"My government won't act, but I will. I'm joining the International Brigades. If fascism isn't stopped in Madrid, it will soon be in Paris, London, and New York. You can't watch a house burn and hope your own doesn't catch fire. You pick up a bucket and help."
Key Question:
When governments refuse to be the 'bystander,' should individuals take action?
Activity: Intervention Debate Preparation
Bystander Lesson Teacher Guide Lesson Guide
The Bystander Dilemma: 1930s Europe
Middle School (Grades 7-8)
Learning Objective
Students will define the Bystander Effect , identify the key factions of the Spanish Civil War , and evaluate the effectiveness of Appeasement vs. Intervention in the context of 1930s geopolitics.
Materials Needed
• Slides: Bystander Dilemma Slides
• Worksheet: Shadow of Neutrality
• Activity: Crossroads Scenario Cards
• Video: Spanish Civil War (0:00-11:00)
Instructional Timeline
5 MIN
Warm-up: The Park Scenario
Students write anonymously on the first section of the worksheet. Encourage them to be honest about the social pressure of stepping in vs. staying out.
15 MIN
Video & Direct Instruction
Play video from 0:00 to 6:00. Pause at 0:50 (Bullying Analogy), 4:24 (The Factions), and 5:02 (Non-Intervention). Have students complete Part 2 of the worksheet.
20 MIN
Activity: Intervention Debate
Divide class into 'Interventionists' and 'Isolationists'. Hand out the Crossroads Scenario Cards. Groups have 8 minutes to prep and 12 minutes for a structured debate.
10 MIN
Closing: Reflection Journal
Students respond to the "Was the US right?" prompt on the back of their worksheet. Collect as an exit ticket.
Key Discussion Prompts
On Psychology:
"Why is it easier to intervene when the victim is a 'best friend' versus a 'stranger'? How does this relate to the US helping Britain (friends) vs. Spain (strangers)?"
On History:
"If the Western democracies had stopped Hitler in Spain in 1936, would World War II have happened? Or would it have just started earlier?"
Misconception
Students may think "Isolationism" means being mean. Clarify that it was often seen as a protective, responsible policy after the trauma of WWI.
Differentiation
For struggling readers, pre-highlight the "Key Question" on the scenario cards to focus their debate prep.
Extension
Ask students to research the 'Abraham Lincoln Brigade'—the American volunteers who went to Spain despite the government's neutrality.
