American Revolution The English Colonies began to have problems in the 1770’s with England when the colonists started to question who had the right to govern the colony. The colonists believed that they had the right to make laws and decisions that affected them. The English Parliament believed they had the right to govern them.

Who had the right? The colonists believed they had the right because they had always governed themselves and knew what was good for them. The colonists believed that taxation by the English Parliament without representation was unfair.

The Colonies

Who had the right? The English Parliament, England’s form of government, believed it had the right to make and pass laws in the colonies when they needed to. Parliament passed laws like the Stamp Act, Quartering Act, and the Tea Act to make more money for England.

English Parliament

The Response The colonists got fed up with all of the taxes and decided to dump all the tea in Boston into the harbor. This was known as the Boston Tea Party. The English responded to the Boston Tea Party with the Boston Port Act. It shut down the port of Boston until all of the tea was paid for. This hurt the colonies financially, because they could no longer trade with anyone.

Virginians Step It Up! The colonies started up a Committee of Correspondence in each of the 13 colonies to communicate about the growing problems with England. Patrick Henry became one of the strongest outspoken individuals on the movement towards independence. He gives the “Give me Liberty or Give me death!” speech at the Virginia Convention that moves the colonists towards war.

Patrick Henry

Virginians and the War! At the 1776 Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson provided political leadership and was made chief writer of the Declaration of Independence. It took him 17 days to write it and it explained the reasons for colonial independence from British rule. It was sent to King George in England to inform him of the intentions towards freedom from English authority in the colonies.

The Declaration of Independence

Virginians and the War! George Washington, a young military leader was appointed Commander and Chief of the Continental Army. His strong leadership during the 1st Continental Congress and on the battlefield made him a role model to all the colonists.

George Washington

The Revolutionary War Begins! The British attacked the colonists in Massachusetts to start the war. Paul Revere made his famous ride to warn the colonists from Concord that the British were coming. The first battles were at Lexington and Concord Massachusetts.

1st Battle in Virginia The Battle of Great Bridge was the first land battle of the American Revolution fought in Virginia. The American Colonist victory forced the British colonial governor to flee the city of Norfolk. Jack Jouett rode on horseback through the backwoods of Virginia to Charlottesville to warn Thomas Jefferson, then the governor of Virginia, that the British were coming to arrest him and the members of the General Assembly.

Colonists take sides! A loyalist was someone that sided with England during the conflict with Great Britain. A patriot was a colonist that wanted independence from England and was ready to go to war. A neutralist was someone that did not take sides during the war.

African Americans in the Revolutionary War African Americans were divided about the war. Some sided with England to earn their freedom from slavery. They were promised it if the English won. Some African Americans fought with the colonists. A brave Virginian slave named James Armistead Lafayette served in the Continental Army and was granted his freedom after the war.

Women and Indians in the War Women also played a part in the war by taking care of the farms at home and nursing injured soldiers on the battlefield. Many American Indians fought alongside the Virginia patriots, while others fought with the British. The Indians were also divided during the war.

Yorktown

Yorktown The Battle at Yorktown ended the Revolutionary War. General Cornwallis surrendered to American forces and this was the last major battle of the war. The Patriots had defeated the great British Army and gained its independence. A new nation was born!

Virginians and their Role in creating a New Nation George Washington was…… Great Military Leader 1st President of the United States “Father of our Country” Strong leader and role model for future Presidents of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson

Virginians and a New Nation Thomas Jefferson….. The chief writer of the Declaration of Independence. Founded UVA and was a writer. He wrote a book called Notes on Virginia. Wrote the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom which became the basis of the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. President of the United States.

George Mason

Virginians and a New Nation George Mason…… Wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights which became the basis for the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. James Madison……. Chief writer of the U.S. Constitution. “Father of the Constitution” President of the United States.

James Madison

US Constitution This document states how our National Government will work or operate. Executive Branch: President Legislative Branch: Laws Judicial Branch: Court System

Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights guaranteed individuals rights in the United States like: Freedom of the Press, Religion, and Speech. George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights served as a template for this important historical document.

Bill of Rights 1st amendment based on Thomas Jefferson’s Statute of Religious Freedom. 13th Amendment: Slavery Abolished 15th Amendment: Right to Vote

A Moral Conflict The Declaration of Independence stated that “All men are created equal.” The Bill of Rights was created to give the people rights. Think! Did all people in the United States have rights during the creation of these documents?

Our Capital Today!