Towns

PA, USA

Valley Forge

Lesson plans and classroom materials.

Forging an Army: Von Steuben and the Transformation at Valley Forge

6-8 · 2 class periods

What you'll get

  • 5 primary sources with analysis prompts
  • Quiz with answer key (5 questions)
  • 3 printable handouts
Print full packet
6-82 class periodsCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sourcesCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.8: Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a textD2.His.1.6-8: Analyze connections among events and developments in broader historical contexts

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the condition of the Continental Army on arrival at Valley Forge in December 1777
  2. Explain von Steuben's training method, including the model company approach and standardized drill
  3. Analyze the evidence of transformation in soldiers' performance at the Battle of Monmouth (June 1778)
  4. Evaluate the role of individual leadership in institutional change

Essential Questions

  • What does it mean to "professionalize" an army? What specific skills and behaviors did von Steuben teach?
  • How do you train an army when conditions make training almost impossible?

Procedure

Primary Sources

The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War Series, Vol. 12-13

University of Virginia Press · PRIMARY · Tier 1 — Primary/Academic

Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States

Styner and Cist (Baron von Steuben) · PRIMARY · Tier 1 — Primary/Academic

Valley Forge National Historical Park: Official Site and Research Archive

National Park Service · INSTITUTIONAL · Tier 1 — Primary/Academic

View source

General George Washington: A Military Life

Random House (Edward G. Lengel) · SECONDARY · Tier 1 — Primary/Academic

The Morale of the American Revolutionary Army

American Council on Public Affairs (Allen Bowman) · SECONDARY · Tier 1 — Primary/Academic

Handouts & Materials

Valley Forge Event Timeline

timeline

Students place key events in chronological order and add details

Primary Source Analysis

graphic organizer

Structured analysis of Revolutionary-era documents

Key Figures Profile

worksheet

Research template for Revolutionary figures

Valley Forge in the American Revolution

Answer the following questions based on our study of Revolutionary history.

1.

What makes Valley Forge significant in Revolutionary history?

AIt was the site of important Revolutionary events
BIt had no connection to the Revolution
CIt was founded after the Revolution
DIt was a British stronghold throughout the war
2.

Primary sources are documents or objects created during the time period being studied.

TTrue
FFalse
3.

Name one event that occurred in Valley Forge during the Revolutionary period and explain its significance.

4.

Why is it important to consider multiple perspectives when studying history?

ADifferent people experienced events differently
BIt makes history more confusing
COnly one perspective is ever correct
DPerspectives don't matter in history
5.

Describe one connection between this town and another Revolutionary-era town we discussed.