Teacher Resource Packet
Bennington 1777: Why Militia Could Beat Regulars
Bennington, VT
This lesson uses the Battle of Bennington to examine the tactical and motivational differences between professional armies and citizen militia in the Revolutionary War. Students analyze why militia — often dismissed by Continental officers as unreliable — won decisively at Bennington, and what conditions had to exist for that outcome. The lesson also introduces the Saratoga connection, tracing how a battle in Vermont shaped a campaign in New York and an alliance with France.
This Packet Includes
- Learning Objectives & Essential Questions
- 5 Primary Source Analysis Worksheets
- 3 Reading & Activity Handouts
- Assessment Quiz (5 questions)
- Answer Key
Learning Objectives
By the end of this unit, you will be able to:
- Students will compare the strengths and limitations of regular army troops versus citizen militia in 18th-century warfare
- Students will explain the tactical decisions Stark made at Bennington and why they succeeded
- Students will trace the causal chain from Bennington to Saratoga to the French alliance
- Students will evaluate primary source evidence about militia soldiers' motivations
Essential Questions
Keep these questions in mind as you work through this packet:
- Why would citizen soldiers sometimes fight more effectively than professional soldiers, and under what conditions?
- How did a battle in Vermont contribute to France entering the war on America's side?
- What does Stark's pre-battle address reveal about the difference between fighting for pay and fighting for your community?
General John Stark's Report on the Battle of Bennington to General Schuyler, August 22, 1777
Analysis Questions
Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.
Who created this source and why?
When was this source created?
What perspective does this source represent?
What was happening when this was written?
How might the author's position affect their account?
Reflection
How does this source connect to what happened in Bennington, VT? What does it tell you about the people involved?
Analysis Questions
Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.
Who created this source and why?
When was this source created?
What perspective does this source represent?
What was happening when this was written?
How might the author's position affect their account?
Reflection
How does this source connect to what happened in Bennington, VT? What does it tell you about the people involved?
Analysis Questions
Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.
Who created this source and why?
When was this source created?
What perspective does this source represent?
What was happening when this was written?
How might the author's position affect their account?
Reflection
How does this source connect to what happened in Bennington, VT? What does it tell you about the people involved?
Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site Interpretive Program
Analysis Questions
Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.
Who created this source and why?
When was this source created?
What perspective does this source represent?
What is the institution's mission?
How does that mission shape the presentation?
Reflection
How does this source connect to what happened in Bennington, VT? What does it tell you about the people involved?
Analysis Questions
Read the document carefully, then answer each question in complete sentences.
Who created this source and why?
When was this source created?
What perspective does this source represent?
What primary sources does this draw from?
What interpretation does the author offer?
Reflection
How does this source connect to what happened in Bennington, VT? What does it tell you about the people involved?
Bennington Event Timeline
timeline
Students place key events in chronological order and add details
# Bennington Revolutionary Timeline
Instructions: Place the following events in order and add one detail about each.
- [ ] Saratoga Campaign: Bennington Losses Cripple Burgoyne
- [ ] Battle of Bennington — Defeat of Baum's Column
- [ ] Battle of Bennington — Defeat of Breymann's Relief Column
- [ ] Fort Ticonderoga Captured by Green Mountain Boys
- [ ] Burgoyne's Army Enters New York from Canada
---
| Event | Date | Significance |
|-------|------|-------------|
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
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 Bennington during the Revolution?
_______________________________________________
## Perspective
Whose voice is represented? Whose might be missing?
_______________________________________________
Key Figures Profile
worksheet
Research template for Revolutionary figures
# Revolutionary Figure Profile
## Basic Information
- Name: _________________
- Birth/Death Years: _________________
- Occupation(s): _________________
## Role in the Revolution
### General John Burgoyne
British general who commanded the invasion force moving south from Canada through the Lake Champlain corridor toward Albany in 1777. His decision to send Baum's detachment to raid Bennington resulted in the loss of nearly a thousand men and set the conditions for his surrender at Saratoga in October.
My questions about this person:
1.
2.
### General John Stark
New Hampshire militia general who commanded American forces at the Battle of Bennington. Having resigned his Continental commission over a seniority dispute, he accepted command of the New Hampshire militia and won the engagement that weakened Burgoyne before Saratoga. His pre-battle speech became one of the Revolution's most quoted rallying cries.
My questions about this person:
1.
2.
## Reflection
Which figure interests you most and why?
_______________________________________________
Bennington in the American Revolution
Answer the following questions based on our study of Revolutionary history.
1. What makes Bennington significant in Revolutionary history?
2. Primary sources are documents or objects created during the time period being studied.
3. Name one event that occurred in Bennington during the Revolutionary period and explain its significance.
Answer:
4. Why is it important to consider multiple perspectives when studying history?
5. Describe one connection between this town and another Revolutionary-era town we discussed.
Answer:
Bennington in the American Revolution
Bennington 1777: Why Militia Could Beat Regulars — Bennington, VT
- 1.What makes Bennington significant in Revolutionary history?Answer:A
Bennington played a significant role in the American Revolution as evidenced by the events we studied.
- 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.Name one event that occurred in Bennington 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.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.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.