Which general reformed training at Valley Forge after arriving from Prussia?

• A. George Washington
• B. Friedrich von Steuben
• C. Marquis de Lafayette
• D. Nathanael Greene

Answer: (B)

Professionalizing the Continental Army through disciplined drill and standardized tactics is what this item is testing. Friedrich von Steuben arrived at Valley Forge from Prussia in 1778 and introduced a formal drill system that reshaped how troops trained and fought. He brought a structured approach to marching, formations, loading and firing, bayonet use, and steady, repeatable routines, and he codified them into a manual—Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States (often called the Blue Book). This training emphasized inspections, uniforms of behavior as well as equipment, and consistent drill sessions, transforming a loosely organized force into a more cohesive, capable army. While George Washington led the campaign, and Marquis de Lafayette and Nathanael Greene were influential figures in other roles, von Steuben was the catalyst for the new level of discipline and effectiveness at Valley Forge.