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Our Pennsylvania Story
L E S S ON 2 0
GeorgeWashington,
America’s Great Leader
Get ToKnowMe
1. Continental Congress
2. cannon
3. museum
4. President
FindMeOn TheMap (On Pages 2 and 4)
1. Virginia 2. Valley Forge
Long ago, this countrywas owned by England. Many
American colonists wanted tomake their own laws. Men
whowere leaders in this countrymet in Philadelphia.
Then thesemenmade the laws for this new country. The
group of menwhomade the laws was called the
Continental Congress
.
Washington and two othermen fromVirginia came to
themeeting. They came to the first meeting of the
Continental Congress. Themeetingwas held on
September 5, 1774. A year later, the Congress asked
Washington to be the leader of anAmerican army.
England hadmade the laws for America. Many people
here did not like these laws. That is why the leaders of
the countrymet tomake their own laws. These leaders
said that the Americans would have to fight England for
their freedom. This was called the American Revolution.
England hadmany soldiers. The Americans had no
army. Manymen said theywould fight for their country in
the army against England. SoonWashington had an army.
But it was not a strong army.
The Englishwon some battles. The English soldiers
came into Philadelphia. They lived in fine houses. They
hadmany good things to eat.
Washington had an army of 11,000men. Theywent to
a place called Valley Forge, near Philadelphia. It was a
very coldwinter. Many of themenwere dressed in rags. Theywore all kinds of coats and
pants. Manymen had no shoes. Therewas very little food. The soldiersmade log huts.
Some of the huts were for the sick.
General GeorgeWashington
