Patrick Henry Speech Essay

The Purpose of this speech is to gain support for a freedom movement from the British government. One can see this when he states, ?Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the

The fight for American independence was a long, arduous struggle, but many great literary works aided the battle. One such example is Patrick Henry’s “Speech in the Virginia Convention”. Given in 1775 at the Virginia Provincial Convention, Henry aims to convince listeners of the futility of peace with Britain, and that they should join the efforts for the inevitable war. To accomplish this, Henry uses many different persuasive techniques and rhetorical devices. In Patrick Henry’s “Speech”, Henry uses techniques such as rhetorical questions, allusion, and emotional appeal to convey the point that the United States must rebel against Britain.

Henry is asking his audience if they would rather live a peaceful life of slavery or a life of freedom on their own terms. This rhetorical question is impactful because Henry”s audience is afraid of slavery, they don’t like the idea of being controlled by anyone. They know what the lives of their own slaves are like and they fear being put in that position. This makes the audience want to heed Henry's advice and go to war against Great Britain.

At the beginning of Henry’s speech, he was aware of the fact that not every delegate supported his idea of fighting British rule; some wanted America to make peace and reconciliation with Britain. He politely acknowledged “different men often see the same subject in different lights”[5] and that his aim was to express his sentiments unreservedly regarding the debate on whether Americans should fight for their freedom or remain enslaved by the British rule. Henry hoped his fellow delegates would not see his sentiments as disrespectful. He also told his audience that they had a responsibility towards America and God to seek the truth and that if he held back his opinions for fear of offending others; he would be

Patrick Henry was an influential leader, from the 18th century, who delivered one of the most famous speeches in the United States. He was also a politician, with a strong sense of patriotism, leading to his support in the opposition of the British government. Before Independence Day, America was under the control of the British, and by 1774, the British Parliament started passing laws to tax colonists. However, Henry was remarkably against to the submission of British government. The patriot transformed the spirits of the colonists, and perhaps bringing America, itself, out of slavery through a speech, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” This speech was given at the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. Henry’s speech played an important role for the War of Independence, as well as, finding one of the principals of which America is founded upon, freedom.

During a meeting in 1775 Virginia, Patrick Henry delivered a speech that moved his audience enormously. He stood in front of many delegates and expressed his stance on America holding onto the hope, to reconcile with their parent country, Great Britain. Henry believed that Great Britain did not treat America with respect and had intentions of their own to prepare for a war against the colonies. Therefore, the colonies must get ready for battle before Britain and fight for their freedom while they still could. He conveyed these ideas firmly and passionately while staying neutral,as well as triggering emotions within his audience.

Thesis Assessment: Although Henry was biased for saying the only way to freedom was fighting, this drive for a fight is crucial to the founding of our nation. Patrick Henry made it clear that fighting is the most effective way to gain their independence. Henry was able to point out the problems that the colonies had while under the rule of the King of England, he knew that sitting around in hope was not going to spark independence for these

“I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death” (Henry). These famous words were delivered by the young Virginia representative, Patrick Henry, on March 23rd of 1775. He was a driving force in the upbringing of America and his use of pathos greatly influenced the nation’s future. Similar to most American politicians of the time, he was highly antagonistic towards British control in the colonies, and thus feared that if U.S. forces were not armed against them, the future of the nation would be in peril. In Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention”, he utilizes pathos as a tool to aide him in persuading the Virginia Assembly to prepare America’s troops for battle against the British by evoking trepidation and concern from within his audience.

“Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!” famously argues for the colonies to renounce reconciliation with Britain in favor of war. Henry claims that the British intend to use force in order to impose their power, and therefore, the colonists must prepare to fight. His claims and argument prove valid and are supported with relevant and sufficient evidence. For example, Henry sites “war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.” Again, he asks if the “fleets and armies” from Britain are needed for “a work of love and reconciliation.” This demonstrates effective reasoning by calling attention to the noticeable and evident military presence along side the ridiculousness of thinking peace is possible. In this light, the

“Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love?” Britain is not trying to win over the love of the colonist, they are trying to retake the colonies by force. Britain sending military force to try and put an end to the rebellious colonist is seen as a threat by Henry. He is appealing to logic by saying that the use of military force is an attempt to get rid of the colonist’s spirit of rebellion. Henry concludes that the British are untrustworthy and a rebellion is needed to protect their personal liberties. “The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat sir, let it come.” Henry is stating that will come no matter what they do. This was the main point in his speech, that the colonies must go to war to protect their freedoms. Henry uses an appeal to logic to show the congressmen why it’s necessary to go to

In 1775, the citizens of America were under duress by the pressure coming from Great Britain and also their own country. The citizens wanted their liberties back, however, the country as a whole was more reluctant to push the issue to a state of war. In his speech at the Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry argues how war is crucial for Americans to regain their liberties by explaining that the British invasion is inescapable, and by illustrating how the citizens are ready and prepared to fight.

“Resolved, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states,” stated in the Independence resolution. For over more than one decade, people from all over the world have striven to see the nation come as one, and rather not see it drift apart from each other and hate one another. Patrick Henry’s speech has incensed violence and fights the British which not everything should be about war; one way to fix these issues of revolution is by having more peace and love among nations and states. Opposing to the speech, that violence is never the answer; however, Patrick states, “-we must fight, pg.1.”

Patrick Henry’s Speech to the Second Virginia Convention riveted the men at the convention to the brink of the beginning of the Revolutionary War. The speech was delivered at a time of great need, where the leaders of the colonies were fed up with British rule, but did not know exactly where to go with their hatred. Henry’s speech ignited a burning passion inside all of the revolutionaries to consider the idea of declaring war on the crown of England. Henry called these men into action, and pointed them towards the direction of a true revolution. Henry’s speech became one of the final straws for the leaders before they declared outright war on Britain. Through the usage of comparisons, word choice, and passion, Henry delivered an impassioned plea for the ages, forever changing the complexion of the world.

In life you have two options, you do as your told or fight like hell, risk it all in hopes of making things right. In the 1700’s America needed to declare war against Britain, Patrick Henry was the man who started it all; he was the shot heard around the world. While at a government convention Henry presented the speech, “Give me Liberty or Give me Death.” He wrote this to express his dissatisfaction with America and their opposition and fear to go into battle. He made it clear the British were already preparing for war and the incoming threat was near. One can unequivocally understand the lasting impact and effectiveness of his argument when he explains how the war is inevitable. Henry uses asyndeton, epistrophe and most importantly call to

In Patrick Henry’s speech he emphasizes his views that there is a need to fight for truth and God's purpose. His "Give me Liberty or give me Death!" speech is based on his belief that the alternative to fighting is slavery to the British empire.