From Revolution to Independence 35 The First Virginia Convention 35 Virginia and the First Continental Congress 38 Great Britain Stiffens 39 War 40 Independence 43 PART IV: The Commonwealth of Virginia 46 Declaration of Rights 46 Declaration of Independence 48 The Virginia Constitution, June 29, 1776 49 The British-Americans: The Virginia Loyalists 52 The War at Home, 1776-1780 53 PART V: The War for Independence 55 Virginians and the Continental Army, 1775-1779 55 The Indian Wars 57 George Rogers Clark and the Winning of the West 58 The War and Eastern Virginia, 1776-1779 60 Black Virginians in the Revolution 60 The British Move South, 1780-1781 62 The Invasion of Virginia, 1781 63 Yorktown, September-October, 1781 66 BIBLIOGRAPHY 68 APPENDIX A Chronology of Selected Events in Virginia, 1763-1783 70 The Declaration of Independence 75 Suggestive Questions for Exploring Virginia's Role in the Winning of Independence 77 Suggested Student Activities 79 _Introduction_ Virginia, the birthplace of our nation, played an important role in the winning of American independence. Virginia, the largest and the most influential of the 13 colonies, led the struggle for American independence and has helped to formulate American ideals and to shape our country's institutions. This publication was prepared to assist teachers in developing topics of study relating to the American Revolution and Virginia's role in the winning of independence and to help students develop deeper appreciation for the rich heritage that is theirs as citizens of the Commonwealth. The Virginia tradition was created by responsible men and women who believed in the inherent dignity of the individual, the role of government as a servant of the people, the value of freedom, justice, equality, and the concept of "rule of law." These ideals and beliefs remain the hallmark of Virginia and the nation. Important objectives of this publication are: