Intermediate Level Establishing Independence H www.uscis.gov/citizenship 1
The Colonies Under British Rule
In the 1600s and 1700s, Europeans came to
North America looking for religious freedom,
economic opportunities, and political liberty.
They created 13 colonies on the East Coast of
the continent. Later, when the colonists won
independence, these colonies became the 13
original states.
Each colony had its own government, but the
British king controlled these governments. By
the 1770s, many colonists were angry because
they did not have self-government. This meant
that they could not govern themselves and make
their own laws. They had to pay high taxes to
the king. They felt that they were paying taxes to
a government where they had no representation.
They were also angry because the colonists were
forced to let British soldiers sleep and eat in
their homes.
In 1774, leaders from the colonies met in
Philadelphia to discuss British laws that they
believed were unfair. They believed that Great
Britain did not treat the colonists as equal
citizens. They thought the people needed more
The 13 original states.
control over their government. In 1775, colonists
fought against the British army in Massachusetts.
The leaders met again and decided to organize
an army. George Washington became the
commander in chief of that army.
Answer these Civics Test questions.
1. Why did the colonists fight the British?
2. There were 13 original states. Name three.
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New Jersey
Delaware
Maryland
New Hampshire
New York
Pennsylvania
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
2 Intermediate Level Establishing Independence H www.uscis.gov/citizenship
The Declaration of Independence
Many colonists wanted to separate from Great
Britain and form a new country. In 1776, the
leaders met in Philadelphia again. They agreed
that the colonies should be free and independent
states. They asked Thomas Jefferson to write a
document for them that expressed these ideas.
He wrote the Declaration of Independence which
announced that the colonies were independent
from Great Britain.
The Declaration of Independence also
promised Americans three rights: life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness. This meant that
the colonists had basic freedoms that the
government could not take away.
The Declaration of Independence was adopted on
July 4, 1776. Today we celebrate Independence
Day on July 4 every year.
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson in
“Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776,” by
Jean Leon Gerome Ferris.
Courtesy of the Library of Congress, LC-USZC4-9904.
Answer these Civics Test questions.
1. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
2. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
3. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
4. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
5. When do we celebrate Independence Day?
To read the entire text of the Declaration of Independence, visit www.archives.gov/
exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html.
Intermediate Level Establishing Independence H www.uscis.gov/citizenship 3
The Father of Our Country
George Washington was born in Virginia on
February 22, 1732. Washington owned a large
farm in Mount Vernon, Virginia. He had many
years of experience as a soldier in the army.
When the Revolutionary War began in 1775, the
colonies chose Washington to be the commander
in chief of the Continental Army to fight the
British. The war was long and difficult but the
colonists finally won independence in 1783.
Washington became a national hero during the
Revolutionary War. In 1789, he was chosen as
the first president of the new United States. He
served as president until 1797 and died in 1799.
Today Americans call George Washington the
“Father of Our Country.” He is remembered
on Presidents’ Day in February. The state of
Washington and our nation’s capital, Washington,
DC, were named after him. There are universities,
roads, and hospitals named after him. We also
find Washington’s face on dollar bills, coins, and
stamps.
Answer these Civics Test questions.
1. Who is the “Father of Our Country”?
2. Who was the first President?
Discuss these questions with your classmates.
Who was one important leader in your country’s history?
Why was that person important?
How did this person influence the history of your country?
George Washington’s home in Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Courtesy of the Library of Congress, LC-DIG-highsm-12540.
General George Washington at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania,
during the Revolutionary War, by Percy Moran.
Courtesy of the Library of Congress, LC-USZ62-3793.
4 Intermediate Level Establishing Independence H www.uscis.gov/citizenship
All Men Are Created Equal
Thomas Jefferson was an important leader in the
colonists’ fight for independence. He believed in
democracy and in people’s basic rights. Jefferson
was the main writer of the Declaration of
Independence. Later when the new government
was formed, President George Washington chose
Jefferson to be the first secretary of state. In
1801, Jefferson became the third president of the
United States. He served as president for eight
years.
In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas
Jefferson wrote about values and ideas that were
important to the colonists. These ideas are still
important to Americans today. Read the famous
words below from the Declaration and think
about their meaning. Think about what they
We hold these truths to be self-evident,
We believe that there are certain ideas that are true and obvious
that all men are created equal,
We believe that everyone is equal
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
We believe that they have certain natural rights and those rights cannot be
taken away by any government
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
We believe in the right to live freely and the right to look for happiness.
mean to you personally. Share your ideas with
your teacher and classmates.
Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale.
Courtesy of the Library of Congress, LC - USZC 4 -2474
Answer these Civics Test questions.
1. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
2. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Intermediate Level Establishing Independence H www.uscis.gov/citizenship 5
Review—Establishing Independence
Irregular Past Tense Verbs:
The verbs below have irregular forms in the past tense. Write a sentence using the past tense
form of each verb.
1. become:
2. begin:
3. choose:
4. feel:
5. fight:
6. meet:
7. think:
8. win:
9. write:
Word Scramble:
Rearrange the letters to form the names of the 13 original states. Remember that the state
names might be one word or two words.
1. eywkorn
New York
2. awrdlaee
3. smusaesthtasc
4. nlayrmad
5. ensradolihd
6. irniivga
7. oenicncttcu
8. arinthracloon
9. nehhrweaspmi
10. hsntcaiulroao
11. yeneeswjsr
12. ireaogg
13. anlnnisyevpa
6 Intermediate Level Establishing Independence H www.uscis.gov/citizenship
Civics Test Questions—Establishing Independence
Read the test questions and write the answers. Take turns practicing them with your partner.
1. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
2. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
3. Why did the colonists fight the British?
4. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
5. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
6. There were 13 original states. Name three.
7. Who is the “Father of Our Country”?
8. Who was the first President?
9. When do we celebrate Independence Day?
