George Washington was elected as the first President of the United States and provided strong leadership to the young country. James Madison kept detailed notes at the Constitutional Convention and helped the delegates reach compromises, which was important for writing the Constitution. Many Virginians migrated west and south after the American Revolution to find better farmland as tobacco farming depleted the soil, taking their traditions and cultures with them as they settled in new areas through passages like the Cumberland Gap.

1. Prepared by: Sarah Duncan
Instructional Specialist
Portsmouth Public Schools

2. Essential Vocabulary
• Constitution
– A plan of government
• Delegate
– A person who represents a group of people at a
meeting
• Compromise
– To settle differences by each giving up some
demands
• Document
– A written paper giving information or proof of
something
• Amendment
– An addition to the Constitution

3. Essential Vocabulary
• Migrate
– To move from one place to another
• Culture
– A way of life of a group of people
• Tradition
– A belief or custom handed down from one
generation to another

4. Contributions of
George Washington
• Washington was
elected as the First
President of the
United States of
America.
• He provided strong
leadership needed to
help the young
country.
• He also provided a
model of leadership
for future presidents.

5. Contributions of
James Madison
• He believed in the
importance of having
a constitution. He
kept detailed notes at
the Constitutional
Convention.
• His skills at
compromise helped
the delegates reach
agreement during the
writing of the
Constitution.

6. The Virginia Declaration of Rights
by George Mason
• States that all Virginians
should have certain
rights, including
freedom of religion and
press.
• The document became
the basis for the Bill of
Rights to the
Constitution

7. The Virginia Statute for Religious
Freedom, by Thomas Jefferson
• States that all people
should be free to
worship as they please
• Was the basis for the
First Amendment to the
Constitution which
protects religious
freedom

8. After the
American
Revolution,
Virginia’s
agricultural
base began to
change. Large
numbers of
Virginians
moved west
and south to
find better
farmland and
new
opportunities.

9. Reasons for Leaving
• Tobacco farming was hard on the soil, causing
many farmers to look west and south for new
land to farm
• Virginians migrate into western territories looking
for large areas of land and new opportunities
• As Virginians moved, they took their traditions,
ideas, and cultures with them
• Settlers crossed the Appalachian Mountains
through the Cumberland Gap as they migrated
to new lands in the west

11. Why is George Washington known
as the “Father of Our Country”?
A. He was the first delegate to the House of
burgesses
B. He was the first President of the United
States
C. He led the French Troops in the French
and Indian War
D. He was the first Virginia plantation owner

12. Why is James Madison known as
the “Father of the Constitution”?
A. He was the first person to sign the
document
B. He was the oldest delegate at the
Constitutional Convention
C. He was the first President of the United
States
D. He helped the delegates reach
compromises when they disagreed

13. What was the influence of the
Virginia Declaration of Rights on
the Constitution of the United
States?
A. Basis for the Declaration of
Independence
B. Basis for the Bill of Rights of the
Constitution
C. Basis for the Treaty of Paris
D. Basis for the Charters of the Virginia
Company of London

14. Which of the following reasons best
describes the reason (s) why Virginians
moved west and to the deep south?
A. The conflicts between the French and
English
B. New gold fields were discovered
C. Tobacco farming was hard on the soil
D. To start new English colonies

15. Through what area did Virginians
travel as they migrated west across
the Appalachian Mountains?
A. Chesapeake Bay
B. Eastern Shore
C. Cumberland Gap
D. Coastal Plain