Forming a Nation Unit Interactive Notes
- Virginia’s Branches of Government
- Important Virginia Documents
- Famous Virginians
- Virginians Migrating West
WORDS TO KNOW
compromisingconstitution
Cumberland Gap
executive branch
freedom of press
freedom of religion
George Mason
George Washington
James Madison
Judicial branch
Legislative branch
Thomas Jefferson
Virginia Declaration of Rights
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Western territories
Virginia’s Branches of Government
When Virginia declared its independence in 1776, it was breaking away from its old form of government. The next step for Virginia was to create a plan for its own government. A plan for a government was in a document called a constitution. Virginia created a state government made up of three parts, or branches, that ensure Virginia laws agree with the state constitution.
The General Assembly is the legislative branch of the Virginia government that makes the state laws. It is divided into two parts- the Senate and the House of Delegates.
The governor heads the executive branch of the state government. The executive branch makes sure that state laws are carried out.
The judicial branch is the state’s court system. The judicial branch decides cases about people accused of breaking the law and whether or not a law agrees with Virginia’s constitution.
Important Virginia Documents
In 1776, Virginians felt that it was important to have a constitution to protect their rights. A man named George Mason felt that people’s rights were important, so he wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights. It states that all Virginians have many rights including freedom of religion and freedom of press.
Thomas Jefferson felt that religious freedom was very important. He decided to do something about it. He wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. It states that all people should be free to worship as they please.
Famous Virginians
George Washington, a Virginian, was elected as the first President of the United States. He provided the strong leadership needed to help the young country and he provided a model of leadership for future leaders. Washington served two terms as President but refused to run for a third term. His decision set an example; today, the Constitution limits Presidents to two four-year terms. Due to his strong leadership and his model of leadership for future presidents, we call him the “Father of Our Country.”
James Madison, a Virginian, believed in the importance of having a United States constitution. He kept detailed notes during the Constitutional Convention. His skills at compromise helped delegates reach agreement during the difficult process of writing the Constitution of the United States of America. Due to his detailed notes and his skills at compromising, we call him the “Father of the Constitution.”
Virginians Migrating West
After the American Revolution, Virginia’s agriculture began to change, and as a result, large numbers of Virginians moved west and to the deep South to find better farmland and new opportunities.
There were a few geographic reasons that influenced the settlers to migrate west. First, the tobacco farming was hard on the soil, so many farmers had to look west and south for new land to farm. Second, Virginians migrated into western territories where there were large areas of land and new opportunities. Third, settlers crossed the Appalachian Mountains through the Cumberland Gap, a path through the Appalachian Mountains in the southwest part of Virginia, which allowed them to migrate to new lands in the west.
As Virginians moved, they took their traditions, ideas, and cultures with them.