Flag for a New Country: The Betsy Ross Story: A Play (Holiday Play Series)

"Flag for a New Country" is one of five books in the Holiday Play Series. Intended as a teacher/student learning tool, this scripted play is written for 24 major character roles, as well as many roles for extras. Synopsis of Play: In 1620, pilgrims sailed from Plymouth, England, to start the first permanent English colony in North America. After a long sea voyage, they landed on the east coast of a new land. This settlement by the pilgrims became the cornerstone of a new nation. By 1640, there were thirteen colonies along the east coast, and 16,000 settlers. The colonies were like thirteen small countries. King George III sent men from England to govern the new American colonies. The King's men set high taxes on the supplies sent to the American colonies. Many colonists stopped buying from England and rebelled against the English taxes. They wanted to right to vote on the taxes they were asked to pay. The English governors did not listen to the Americans. The colonists then knew it was time to form their own government and start their own country. Men from each of the separate colonies came together at a Continental Congress to make plans for the future. Forming theis Continental Congress was against the laws of England. The colonists were committing treason, punishable by death. People in the colonies called these brave founding fathers "patriots". The new American flag, with one star for each colony, helped unite the people. It gave them hope for a better life in their new country. They would be free to make their own laws. They would be free from the bonds of England.