Virginia and the Establishment of the United States of America

Virginians Help Create a National Government for the United States Constitution – a plan of government. In 1787 leaders from each state met in Philadelphia to draw up a national constitution for the new country. The actions and ideas of Virginians formed the basis for the new constitutional government of the United States.

Virginians Help Create a National Government for the United States James Madison, a Virginian, believed in the importance of having a United States constitution. He kept detailed notes during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.

James Madison – “Father of the Constitution” His skills at compromise helped the delegates reach agreement during the difficult process of writing the Constitution of the United States of America. This earned him the title the “Father of the Constitution.”

George Washington – “Father of Our Country” George Washington was a Virginian. Commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He was President of the Constitutional Convention.

George Washington – “Father of Our Country” He was elected as the first President of the United States of America. He provided the strong leadership needed to help the young country. He also provided a model of leadership for future presidents. Therefore, he is often called the “Father of Our Country.”

The Virginia Declaration of Rights The Virginia Declaration of Rights was written by a Virginian named George Mason. It is a document that says that all Virginians should have certain rights.

The Virginia Declaration of Rights Right - Freedom of Religion. Religion is the way people worship the God or gods they believe in. Mason believed the government should not be able to tell people what church to attend or make them go to church at all!

The Virginia Declaration of Rights Right - Freedom of the Press. Mason believed that newspapers should be able to print the truth and should not be controlled by the government.

The Virginia Declaration of Rights Right - The right to a trial by jury. Mason felt that even people who broke the law should have rights. One of these rights is the right to a trial by jury.

The Virginia Declaration of Rights The document became the basis for the Bill of Rights for the Constitution of the United States of America.

The Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights was added to the U.S. Constitution in 1791. Much of it was based on the Virginia Declaration of Rights written by George Mason. The Bill of Rights became the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Amendment – a change or an addition to a document.

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom was written by a Virginian named Thomas Jefferson. It says that all people should be free to practice their religion as they please or not to practice any religion at all.

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom This document was the basis for the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. The amendment protects religious freedom. This is the first of the ten amendments that make up the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution.

What Do These Two Documents Have In Common? The ideas expressed in the Virginia Declaration of Rights (Mason) and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (Jefferson) served as models for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America.