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Student Worksheet Packet

The Great Chain: Engineering the Hudson River Defense

West Point, NY

Grades 6-8·2 class periods

Students examine the Great Chain at West Point as a case study in Revolutionary War engineering and the relationship between technology and strategy. They analyze how Kosciuszko designed a defensive system using 18th-century resources to solve a specific military problem — blocking British naval access to the Hudson River's most vulnerable point.

This Packet Includes

  • Learning Objectives & Essential Questions
  • 5 Primary Source Analysis Worksheets
  • 3 Reading & Activity Handouts
  • Assessment Quiz (5 questions)
Unit:The Great Chain: Engineering the Hudson River Defense — Lesson Overview
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Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Describe the engineering challenge the Great Chain was designed to solve and how the solution worked
  2. Explain Kosciuszko's interlocking fortification system and why it was considered impregnable
  3. Analyze the relationship between terrain, technology, and strategy at West Point
  4. Evaluate why the British never attempted a direct assault despite the Hudson's strategic importance

Essential Questions

Keep these questions in mind as you work through this packet:

  • How do engineers solve military problems? What resources and constraints did Kosciuszko work with at West Point?
  • If West Point was "impregnable," why was it nearly lost? What does the Arnold conspiracy tell us about the limits of fortification?
Unit:The Great Chain: Engineering the Hudson River Defense — Primary Source Analysis
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Primary Source 1 of 5
Document Information
DocumentBenedict Arnold's Correspondence with John André, 1780
SourceLibrary of Congress, Papers of the Continental Congress
TypePRIMARY

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 what happened in West Point, NY? What does it tell you about the people involved?

Unit:The Great Chain: Engineering the Hudson River Defense — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 2 of 5
Document Information
DocumentThe Papers of George Washington: West Point Correspondence, 1778-1780
SourceUniversity of Virginia Press
TypePRIMARY

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 what happened in West Point, NY? What does it tell you about the people involved?

Unit:The Great Chain: Engineering the Hudson River Defense — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 3 of 5
Document Information
DocumentThe Traitor and the Spy: Benedict Arnold and John André
SourceHarcourt Brace (James Thomas Flexner)
TypeSECONDARY

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 what happened in West Point, NY? What does it tell you about the people involved?

Unit:The Great Chain: Engineering the Hudson River Defense — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 4 of 5
Document Information
DocumentHudson Highlands: West Point and the Revolutionary War
SourceNational Park Service
TypeINSTITUTIONAL
Hudson Highlands: West Point and the Revolutionary War

Hudson Highlands: West Point and the Revolutionary War

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 what happened in West Point, NY? What does it tell you about the people involved?

Unit:The Great Chain: Engineering the Hudson River Defense — Primary Source Analysis
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:
Primary Source 5 of 5
Document Information
DocumentProceedings of a Board of General Officers Respecting Major John André
SourceContinental Army Board of General Officers
TypePRIMARY

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 what happened in West Point, NY? What does it tell you about the people involved?

Unit:The Great Chain: Engineering the Hudson River Defense — West Point Event Timeline
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West Point Event Timeline

timeline

Students place key events in chronological order and add details

# West Point Revolutionary Timeline


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


  • [ ] Arnold's Treason Discovered
  • [ ] United States Military Academy Founded at West Point
  • [ ] Capture of Major John Andre
  • [ ] Kosciuszko Designs the West Point Fortification System
  • [ ] Construction of West Point Fortress Begins

---


| Event | Date | Significance |

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

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

Unit:The Great Chain: Engineering the Hudson River Defense — 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 West Point during the Revolution?


_______________________________________________


## Perspective

Whose voice is represented? Whose might be missing?


_______________________________________________

Unit:The Great Chain: Engineering the Hudson River Defense — Key Figures Profile
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Key Figures Profile

worksheet

Research template for Revolutionary figures

# Revolutionary Figure Profile


## Basic Information

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

## Role in the Revolution

### Benedict Arnold

The brilliant Continental officer who, as commander of West Point in 1780, conspired to surrender the fortress to the British. His treason plot was exposed when his contact Major Andre was captured, and Arnold fled to the British lines.


My questions about this person:

1.

2.


### Major John Andre

Charming British officer who served as the intermediary in Arnold's treason. Captured behind American lines carrying plans of West Point's defenses, he was tried and hanged as a spy despite widespread sympathy for his personal conduct.


My questions about this person:

1.

2.



## Reflection

Which figure interests you most and why?


_______________________________________________

Unit:The Great Chain: Engineering the Hudson River Defense — Assessment
History is for Everyone
Name: Date: Period:

West Point in the American Revolution

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

  1. 1.  What makes West Point 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 West Point 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: