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• Study the movement of troops during the Revolution. How far
could soldiers walk in an average day? Study the revolutionary activities that took place in Virginia.
• Research the lives of Martha Washington and Dolley Madison. Which woman was able to be the most
active during her husband's presidency?
• Compare the lives of Martha Washington and Dolley Madison to the life of a farmer's wife, the life of a
free black woman living in Richmond, the life of a black woman living on a small plantation, and the life of an Indian woman living
on the Mattaponi reservation.
• After discussing the causes of the War of 1812, identify the following terms: neutrality, impressment, War
Hawks, Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson.
• Discuss the burning of Washington, D.C., by the British troops (population 8,000 in 1814). What was the
role of the president's wife, Dolley Madison, during the evacuation of Washington?
• The military fame of Andrew Jackson was largely based on the battle of New Orleans, which was fought
after the signing of the peace treaty at Ghent. Compare the types of communication and the length of time
to send news in 1814 with today.
• Study the results of the War of 1812 including: the development of American nationalism, the growth of manufacturing,
the surge of the westward movement, the respect of foreign nations for the new nation of America.
• How would the War of 1812 affect your family if you had been a farmer in Tidewater, a merchant in
Norfolk, an exporter of flour in Richmond, or a shipbuilder in Portsmouth?
• In the classroom: Founding Fathers activity
• Primary source activity:
The war of 1812, often called the "Second War of Independence,"
physically involved Virginia very little.
Nevertheless, many Virginians were enlisted in the military while others were affected economically by this
war with Great Britain. A letter written by General William Chamberlayne to his wife, Peggy,
from Richmond in August 1814 (Mss2 C3557 b) describes the burning of Washington by the
British. Discuss the content and style of the letter.
Document: Letter, 1814, William Chamberlayne to Margaret Chamberlayne (transcript)
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