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History is for Everyone · American Revolution Network

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

Valley Forge, PA

Grade Range: 6-8·Duration: 2 class periods

Students examine how Baron von Steuben transformed the Continental Army through systematic training, exploring what professional military training means, how it was implemented under difficult conditions, and why the transformation mattered at the Battle of Monmouth and beyond.

This Packet Includes

  • Lesson Plan & Learning Objectives
  • 5 Primary Source Analysis Worksheets
  • 3 Student Handouts
  • Assessment Quiz (5 questions)
  • Answer Key (Teacher Copy)
  • Standards Alignment
Unit:Forging an Army: Von Steuben and the Transformation at Valley Forge — Lesson Overview
History is for Everyone
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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  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

Keep these questions in mind throughout the unit:

  • 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?
Unit:Forging an Army: Von Steuben and the Transformation at Valley Forge — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 1 of 5
Document Information
Document:The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War Series, Vol. 12-13
Source:University of Virginia Press
Type:PRIMARY
Credibility:TIER1

Analysis Questions

Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.

  1. Who created this source and why?

  2. When was this source created?

  3. What perspective does this source represent?

  4. What was happening when this was written?

  5. How might the author's position affect their account?

Reflection

How does this source connect to the events in Valley Forge, PA? What does it reveal about the people involved?

Unit:Forging an Army: Von Steuben and the Transformation at Valley Forge — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 2 of 5
Document Information
Document:Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States
Source:Styner and Cist (Baron von Steuben)
Type:PRIMARY
Credibility:TIER1

Analysis Questions

Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.

  1. Who created this source and why?

  2. When was this source created?

  3. What perspective does this source represent?

  4. What was happening when this was written?

  5. How might the author's position affect their account?

Reflection

How does this source connect to the events in Valley Forge, PA? What does it reveal about the people involved?

Unit:Forging an Army: Von Steuben and the Transformation at Valley Forge — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 3 of 5
Document Information
Document:Valley Forge National Historical Park: Official Site and Research Archive
Source:National Park Service
Type:INSTITUTIONAL
Credibility:TIER1
Valley Forge National Historical Park: Official Site and Research Archive

Valley Forge National Historical Park: Official Site and Research Archive

Analysis Questions

Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.

  1. Who created this source and why?

  2. When was this source created?

  3. What perspective does this source represent?

  4. What is the institution's mission?

  5. How does that mission shape the presentation?

Reflection

How does this source connect to the events in Valley Forge, PA? What does it reveal about the people involved?

Unit:Forging an Army: Von Steuben and the Transformation at Valley Forge — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 4 of 5
Document Information
Document:General George Washington: A Military Life
Source:Random House (Edward G. Lengel)
Type:SECONDARY
Credibility:TIER1

Analysis Questions

Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.

  1. Who created this source and why?

  2. When was this source created?

  3. What perspective does this source represent?

  4. What primary sources does this draw from?

  5. What interpretation does the author offer?

Reflection

How does this source connect to the events in Valley Forge, PA? What does it reveal about the people involved?

Unit:Forging an Army: Von Steuben and the Transformation at Valley Forge — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 5 of 5
Document Information
Document:The Morale of the American Revolutionary Army
Source:American Council on Public Affairs (Allen Bowman)
Type:SECONDARY
Credibility:TIER1

Analysis Questions

Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.

  1. Who created this source and why?

  2. When was this source created?

  3. What perspective does this source represent?

  4. What primary sources does this draw from?

  5. What interpretation does the author offer?

Reflection

How does this source connect to the events in Valley Forge, PA? What does it reveal about the people involved?

Unit:Forging an Army: Von Steuben and the Transformation at Valley Forge — Valley Forge Event Timeline
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:

Valley Forge Event Timeline

timeline

Students place key events in chronological order and add details

# Valley Forge Revolutionary Timeline


Instructions: Place the following events in order and add one detail about each.


  • [ ] Von Steuben Begins Training the Army
  • [ ] Nathanael Greene Appointed Quartermaster General
  • [ ] Continental Army Arrives at Valley Forge
  • [ ] News of the French Alliance Reaches Camp
  • [ ] Continental Army Departs Valley Forge

---


| Event | Date | Significance |

|-------|------|-------------|

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

Unit:Forging an Army: Von Steuben and the Transformation at Valley Forge — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:

Primary Source Analysis

graphic organizer

Structured analysis of Revolutionary-era documents

# Primary Source Analysis Worksheet


## Source Information

  • Title: _________________
  • Author: _________________
  • Date: _________________
  • Type: _________________

## Observation

What do you notice? (List 3 things)

1.

2.

3.


## Reflection

What do you wonder? (List 2 questions)

1.

2.


## Analysis

What does this source tell us about Valley Forge during the Revolution?


_______________________________________________


## Perspective

Whose voice is represented? Whose might be missing?


_______________________________________________

Unit:Forging an Army: Von Steuben and the Transformation at Valley Forge — Key Figures Profile
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:

Key Figures Profile

worksheet

Research template for Revolutionary figures

# Revolutionary Figure Profile


## Basic Information

  • Name: _________________
  • Birth/Death Years: _________________
  • Occupation(s): _________________

## Role in the Revolution

### Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben

Prussian military officer who arrived at Valley Forge in February 1778 and transformed the Continental Army through systematic drill and training. His "Blue Book" of regulations became the army's standard manual for decades.


My questions about this person:

1.

2.


### George Washington

Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army who kept the army together through the Valley Forge winter. His decision to encamp at Valley Forge was strategic — it positioned the army to protect the countryside while monitoring British-held Philadelphia.


My questions about this person:

1.

2.



## Reflection

Which figure interests you most and why?


_______________________________________________

Unit:Forging an Army: Von Steuben and the Transformation at Valley Forge — Assessment
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:

Valley Forge in the American Revolution

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

  1. 1.  What makes Valley Forge significant in Revolutionary history?

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

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

    Answer:

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

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

    Answer:

ANSWER KEY · TEACHER COPY · DO NOT DISTRIBUTE

Valley Forge in the American Revolution

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

  1. 1.What makes Valley Forge significant in Revolutionary history?
    Answer:A

    Valley Forge played a significant role in the American Revolution as evidenced by the events we studied.

  2. 2.Primary sources are documents or objects created during the time period being studied.
    Answer:True

    Primary sources provide firsthand evidence about historical events.

  3. 3.Name one event that occurred in Valley Forge during the Revolutionary period and explain its significance.
    Answer:[Varies - accept any accurate event with reasonable explanation]

    Students should identify a specific event and connect it to broader Revolutionary themes.

  4. 4.Why is it important to consider multiple perspectives when studying history?
    Answer:A

    Multiple perspectives help us understand the full complexity of historical events.

  5. 5.Describe one connection between this town and another Revolutionary-era town we discussed.
    Answer:[Varies - accept any accurate connection]

    Students should demonstrate understanding of the interconnected nature of Revolutionary events.

Unit:Forging an Army: Von Steuben and the Transformation at Valley Forge — Standards Alignment
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:

Standards Addressed

Common Core ELA

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.8: Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text

C3 Framework

  • D2.His.1.6-8: Analyze connections among events and developments in broader historical contexts
  • D2.His.14.6-8: Explain multiple causes and effects of events and developments in the past