The article, using materials from official government documents, as well as the American and British press and political journalism, analyzes the process of gradual change in the mood of Virginian society in the mid-18th century. It is shown that the process of formation of the political identity of the Virginian population was largely caused by changes in the nature of the relationship between the colony and the metropolis after the end of the French and Indian War of 1754–1763. Particular attention is paid to the motives of representatives of the ruling elites of Virginia, who had almost complete control over intra-colonial politics. In the dispute with the metropolis, they pursued not only their own personal goals, but also sought to take care of the welfare of the entire local community of the province. The conclusion is formulated that the successive attempts of Great Britain to introduce a new system of maintaining a regular army and new tax legislation into the colonies led to a crisis in relations, during which the virginians realized their own fundamental rights to free and independent decision-making in economic and political matters.