Political Growth and Western Expansion:
1781 to the Mid 1800s

Standard(s) of Learning

Content

Know that the actions and ideas of Virginians formed the basis for the new constitutional government of the United States.                                                                                                           

Understand that the ideas expressed in the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom served as models for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America.                                                                                                                           

Identify that the Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, states that all Virginians should have certain rights, including freedom of religion and freedom of the press. The document became the basis for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America.    

Identify that the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson, states that all people should be free to worship as they please. This document was the basis for the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, the amendment that protects religious freedom.

Sample Resources

Below is an annotated list of Internet resources for this organizing topic. Copyright restrictions may exist for the material on some Web sites. Please note and abide by any such restrictions.

Charters of Freedom. <http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/charters_of_freedom/declaration/declaration_history.html>. This site provides a history of the Declaration of Independence.

Documents of American History. Virginia Department of Education. <http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/AmericanDoc99.pdf>. This publication contains the text of The Constitution of Virginia, Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, Declaration of American Independence, Constitution of the United States of America with Amendments, and The Virginia Charters. It also includes a section on “Teaching the Virginia Declaration of Rights and Other Historical Documents.”

  “George Mason.” Gunston Hall Plantation. <http://gunstonhall.org/georgemason/>. This site includes a biography of George Mason, his quotations, and historic human rights documents influenced by this patriot.

“George Mason.” From Revolution to Reconstruction. <http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/B/gmason/gmasxx.htm>. This site provides a biography of George Mason and describes his role in the creation of the Virginia Declaration of Rights.

Graphic Organizers. <http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/> and <http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/actbank/torganiz.htm>. These sites supply a variety of graphic organizers to help students understand the content of the unit.

“Historic Human Rights Documents.” Gunston Hall Plantation. <http://gunstonhall.org/documents/vdr.html>. This site contains the text of the Virginia Declaration of Rights.

The Library of Virginia. <http://www.lva.lib.va.us/>. This site provides access to multiple databases and millions of digital images of text, photographs and maps.

Social Studies Curriculum Resources: Posters on Virginia Studies. <http://chumby.dlib.vt.edu/melissa/posters/vastudiesposter.html>. Users can click on “The New Nation” for posters on the period between the American Revolution and Civil War.

“Thomas Jefferson.” The American Presidency. <http://ap.grolier.com/browse?type=profiles.#pres>. This site offers access to four biographies of Thomas Jefferson for different reading levels.

“Thomas Jefferson.” The White House. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/tj3.html>. This site provides a brief biography of Thomas Jefferson and links to additional information about past presidents.

Virginia Declaration of Rights. The National Archives. <http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/virginia_declaration_of_rights.html.>. This site contains the text of the Virginia Declaration of Rights.

Virginia Historical Society. <http://www.vahistorical.org/storyofvirginia.htm>. This site offers ten concise, easy-to-read chapters on Virginia history from prehistoric times to the present. The chapters “Becoming Virginians” and “Becoming Americans” are applicable to this unit.

“Virginia History.” <http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/NewingtonForestES/students/Gradepages/virginia.htm> This site provides access to a number of research sites related to Virginia history.

Virginia Standards of Learning Assessments for the 2001 History and Social Science Standards of Learning. Virginia Studies. Test Blueprint. Virginia Department of Education, 2003/04. <http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Assessment/HistoryBlueprints03/2002Blueprint2VAStudies.pdf>. This site provides assessment information for Virginia Studies.

“Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom.” PBS. < http://www.pbs.org/jefferson/enlight/religi.htm>. This site presents the Statute of Religious Freedom in context: the draft of the statute presented to the Virginia assembly, the final version, and questions about the reaction of people to the text.