Fifth Virginia Convention facts for kids

Edmund Pendleton, who led the Convention

The Fifth Virginia Convention was an important meeting held in Williamsburg from May 6 to July 5, 1776. During this meeting, leaders from Virginia decided that Virginia would become an independent state, separate from Britain. They also created Virginia's first constitution (a set of rules for how the government works) and the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which listed important freedoms for people.

Getting Started

Before this meeting, another Virginia Convention had taken place in Williamsburg in December 1775. At that time, George Washington had been chosen to lead the American troops. Virginia's own soldiers had also won an important battle against the British near Norfolk.

The people chosen to attend the Fifth Virginia Convention picked Edmund Pendleton to be their leader again. He had also led the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. The people at the Convention could be grouped into three main types:

• Radicals: These were people from western Virginia who wanted independence from Britain even before 1775.
• Thinkers: These were educated people like lawyers and doctors, including famous names like George Mason, George Wythe, and younger leaders like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
• Wealthy Landowners: Most of these people were from eastern Virginia. They had a lot of influence because of how the delegates were chosen, which gave them more power. These landowners wanted to keep their control over local government, much like it had been during colonial times.

The Meeting in Williamsburg

The Convention met at the Capitol building in Williamsburg from May 6 to July 5, 1776. Edmund Pendleton was chosen as the leader.

On May 15, the Convention made a big decision. They announced that the King of Britain's power over Virginia was "totally dissolved." This meant they no longer recognized the King's rule because he had harmed them and treated them as if they were no longer under his protection.

The Convention then made three important resolutions:

• They called for a Declaration of Rights for Virginia.
• They called for a new constitution that would create a republican government (where citizens elect their leaders).
• They wanted to form alliances with other colonies and foreign countries.

They also told their representatives at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to declare independence for all the colonies. This meant Virginia's delegates were the only ones specifically told to declare independence. To celebrate, people in Williamsburg took down the British flag and raised a new flag with thirteen red and white stripes.

What Came Out of the Convention

The Virginia Capitol in Williamsburg, where the Convention met

On June 7, Richard Henry Lee, one of Virginia's delegates to the Continental Congress, followed the Convention's instructions. He proposed that "these colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states." This idea was later used in the American Declaration of Independence.

On June 12, the Convention approved George Mason's Declaration of Rights. This document was very important and became a model for the United States Bill of Rights, which protects the freedoms of all Americans.

Then, on June 29, the Convention approved the first Constitution of Virginia. This made Virginia a new, self-governing state. They chose Patrick Henry to be the first governor of this new Commonwealth of Virginia. He officially started his job on June 29, 1776. This means Virginia had its own working government before the United States declared independence on July 4, 1776!

Key People at the Convention

Many important figures attended the Fifth Virginia Convention. Here are some of them:

Images for kids

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  George Wythe, an important lawyer

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  George Mason, who wrote the Virginia Bill of Rights

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  Thomas Jefferson, who was at the Continental Congress

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  Patrick Henry, who wanted independence early

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  The Virginia Capitol in Williamsburg, where the Convention met