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  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

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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.

Introduction

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:

To emphasize the study of Virginia history during the period from 1763 to 1783 when the state exerted influential leadership and wisdom in the winning of American independence;

To develop a deeper understanding of the meaning of freedom and basic principles and traditions which have nourished and sustained the American way of life;

To further the students' understanding of individual rights and responsibilities in a free society;

To further acquaint students with their heritage of freedom and the importance of perpetuating democratic