Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” Speech. On the anniversary of Patrick Henry’s stirring words at the 1775 Virginia Convention, take a look back at the speech that included the famous line, “Give me liberty or give me death!”.
In about 1776-1779 Patrick Henry served as the governor of Virginia in which he gave the speech titled “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” This speech was meant to serve as closure between the two sides of the argument which were to wait out Britain's response or fight against Britain.
On the anniversary of Patrick Henry’s stirring words at the 1775 Virginia Convention, take a look back at the speech that included the famous line, “Give me liberty or give me death!” Revolution was in the air in early 1775.
Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” Speech. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both in attendance, as were five of the six other Virginians who would later sign the Declaration of Independence. Prominent among the bewigged statesmen was Patrick Henry, a well-respected lawyer from Hanover County.
This speech was given by Patrick Henry on March 23, 1775, in response to interference of the Royal Navy brought in from the King's appointed Governor, Lord Dunmore. Mr. Henry was requesting that it was time for the Virginia colony to raise a militia in order to defend their right to freedom.
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry signaled the coming revolution when he spoke at a Virginia convention and allegedly implored: “Give me liberty, or give me death!”
Henry spoke to an assembly of his fellow Virginians at St. John's Church in Richmond, where the colonial legislature, House of Burgesses, was meeting. Since Henry's speech followed the British march on Concord by a few hours, the twin events marked the beginning of the American Revolution.
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech at St. John's Church in Richmond, VA, at the Second Virginia Convention.In attendance were 120 delegates, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, Edmund Pendleton, and Peyton Randolph.
The Set-Up On March 23rd, 1775, at the Second Virginia Convention at St. John's Church in Richmond, Patrick Henry argued that a volunteer militia should be organized and armed in every county of Virginia to prepare to defend themselves from Great Britain.
What is the best way to sum up the main point of Henry's speech? There is no chance of peace without total submission. Therefore, the colonists' only real option is to fight.
The objections that led Patrick Henry were that there were no bill of rights, making the government too strong, there was no mention of God, states couldn't print money and ratification process was too easy.
Terms in this set (30) At the First Continental Congress, Patrick Henry said, "I am not a Virginian, but an American." What was his intention when he made that statement? He was an American rather than a British colonist.
Patrick Henry's main clause is that if the colonies do not stand up and fight for their independence then they will fall and become slaves and or killed. Looking at the options his speech swayed the votes which led for the fight for independence.
Patrick Henry next used rhetorical questions in order to express his idea. "But when shall we be stronger? Shall it be the next week, or the next year?” this is powerful at this point he is stating why not fight now, is there going to be a better time. They are as strong as they are going to be so why not? This is directed at the people who are not for the war. The last thing that is prominent in his speech is anaphora. He uses it to stress key points and or to urge a direct response. Anaphora "We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves..." These words were chosen to show that they have tried everything. They have plead, protested, begged, and figuratively laid face down. Doing all this and still haven’t had any results. Patrick Henry understands that being passive and or laying down was not acceptable. Doing that would be appeasement and would allow the British to take advantage of the colonies. Patrick would rather die a free man then to allow tyranny to come upon their newly established colonies. The people ultimately agreed with his reasoning. Without the use of schemes and tropes his speech would have lacked the power it had.
He is saying that no one has the same love for the colonies then him, inferring that he would not say something that would go against the government. In him saying this he must know that the people in the forum know this and so they will be more inclined to listen to his proposal. He admits that the other delegates are wise, but since he is highly patriotic and wise himself the people should listen to what he has to say. He puts this in his speech at the beginning in order to set the tone right away for this speech.
Patrick Henry used pathos in order to feed off people’s emotions in order to get them proactive for war for independence.
Next Henry uses pathos as a tool to get people emotionally committed to going to war.
Liberty or Death? The fight for freedom was very valuable to us because of the liberty we achieved from it. In about 1776-1779 Patrick Henry served as the governor of Virginia in which he gave the speech titled “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.”. This speech was meant to serve as closure between the two sides of the argument which were ...
His speech convinced the colony of Virginia to organize a militia to fight against British tyranny. As you read, take notes on the rhetorical devices that Henry uses in order to deliver his message. "Patrick Henry Rothermel" by Peter F. Rothermel is in the public domain. [1] MR.
Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base.
Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Speech by Patrick Henry is in the public domain.