The American Revolution changed not only the political system, economy, cultural beliefs, demography, and global influence of the United States but also its natural environment. Virginia experienced many of these effects. Soldiers consumed mountains of grain, burned countless acres of their enemies’ crops, and deforested the land to acquire shelter and fuel. Virginians mined the earth for sulfur, lead, and iron to make weapons and ammunition. Armed forces also ravaged cities, towns, and other built environments. Huge numbers of animals were killed for food, while thousands of others were worked to death. Military operations spread microbes that sickened soldiers and civilians alike. In the aftermath of the Revolution, Virginians designed and participated in a system for the sale of public lands in western areas that continues to shape the environment to this day.
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