Salt Shaker Press: Videos For This Year's Golden Horseshoe Winner at Marlinton Middle School

Here are some YouTube videos on the history of the state of West Virginia that you can use in your research:

Here are the main points of the video:

West Virginia was originally part of the colony of Virginia.
The early United States were much more powerful in relation to the federal government than they are today.
The early settlers of West Virginia were primarily Scots-Irish and Germans.
The people of West Virginia were given the short end of the stick representationally in the state of Virginia.
The first petitions for West Virginia statehood were voiced even before the American Revolution finished.
West Virginia became a state during the American Civil War.
The delegates from the northwestern counties of Virginia met in Wheeling, West Virginia for the first of two conventions in the city of Wheeling which were called to restore the unionist government of Virginia.
The process of West Virginia becoming a state took over a year and was conditional upon the gradual abolition of slavery.
West Virginia was admitted to the Union in June of 1863.
Virginia would be the only state to lose territory as a result of the American Civil War.
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Here is a test for the main points of the video "How West Virginia Became a State":

Part 1: Early History and Representation

Early Virginia:
- True or False: Virginia was the largest of the 13 colonies and included all the land that is now West Virginia.
- Multiple Choice: What was the relationship between the early United States and the federal government?
  - a) The federal government was much more powerful.
  - b) The states were much more powerful.
  - c) They were equal in power.
- Open Ended: Who controlled Virginia in the early years?
Eastern vs. Western Virginia:
- True or False: The land in western Virginia was suitable for large-scale farming.
- Multiple Choice: What was the main difference between the people of eastern and western Virginia?
  - a) Religion
  - b) Dialect and customs
  - c) Political affiliation
- Open Ended: How were western Virginians represented in the state government?

Part 2: Sectional Rivalries and the Civil War

Early Attempts at Statehood:
- True or False: West Virginia petitioned for statehood before the American Revolution.
- Multiple Choice: Why were West Virginia's early bids for statehood rejected?
  - a) They were not supported by the federal government.
  - b) They were opposed by Virginia and Pennsylvania.
  - c) There was no consensus among the people of western Virginia.
- Open Ended: What was the main reason for the conflict between eastern and western Virginia?
The American Civil War:
- True or False: Virginia was a slave state.
- Multiple Choice: What event led to Virginia's secession from the Union?
  - a) The election of Abraham Lincoln
  - b) John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry
  - c) Lincoln's request for troops
- Open Ended: What did the delegates from the northwestern counties of Virginia do in response to the state's secession?

Part 3: West Virginia's Statehood

Wheeling Conventions:
- Multiple Choice: What was the purpose of the first Wheeling Convention?
  - a) To declare western Virginia's independence from Virginia.
  - b) To elect delegates for the second convention.
  - c) To form a new state government.
- True or False: The second Wheeling Convention decided to remain part of Virginia.
- Open Ended: What was the significance of the Wheeling Conventions?
Formation of the Unionist Government of Virginia:
- True or False: The unionist government of Virginia was recognized by the Confederate States of America.
- Multiple Choice: Who recognized the unionist government of Virginia as the legitimate government of the state?
  - a) Abraham Lincoln
  - b) Jefferson Davis
  - c) The United States Congress
- Open Ended: What was the purpose of forming the unionist government of Virginia?
West Virginia's Admission to the Union:
- Multiple Choice: How long did it take for West Virginia to be admitted to the Union after its formation?
  - a) Less than a year
  - b) Over a year
  - c) Several years
- True or False: West Virginia was the first state to be admitted to the Union during the Civil War.
- Open Ended: What were the conditions for West Virginia's admission to the Union?

Additional Notes:

The video also mentions that Virginia was the only state to lose territory as a result of the American Civil War.
The video encourages viewers to watch more videos on the DC Show.

Here are the main points of the video:

1. Virginia was the first permanent English colony in the Americas.

Founded in 1606, Jamestown was the first successful English settlement in North America.
Virginia's early years were marked by struggles and competition with other European powers.
The colony eventually thrived and became a major center of tobacco production.

2. Virginia's size and influence were once much larger.

The original Virginia colony stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
This vast territory was gradually reduced as new colonies were formed.
Today, Virginia is a much smaller state, bordered by West Virginia to the west.

3. The Civil War played a key role in the creation of West Virginia.

Western Virginia had different economic and political interests than Eastern Virginia.
These differences led to growing tensions between the two regions.
When Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, Western Virginia refused to follow.
With the support of the Union government, Western Virginia formed the new state of West Virginia in 1863.

4. Virginia and West Virginia remain distinct states today.

Despite their shared history, the two states have developed different cultures and economies.
Virginia is a more populous and urban state, while West Virginia is more rural and mountainous.
The two states also have different political leanings, with Virginia being more progressive and West Virginia being more conservative.

5. The creation of West Virginia was a unique event in American history.

No other state has been formed from the territory of an existing state without the consent of that state's government.
The circumstances of the Civil War allowed West Virginia to achieve statehood despite the opposition of Virginia's government.

Here are the prompts I used for this lesson:

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