Student Question
What action is Henry advocating for in his Speech to the Virginia Convention?
Quick answer:
In his "Speech to the Virginia Convention," Patrick Henry advocates for revolt against Great Britain, urging the colonies to form a militia in response to British oppression, including taxes and military presence. He argues that peaceful petitions have failed, leaving no option but to fight for liberty. Henry emphasizes the urgency of action, comparing British oppression to a storm and declaring that the colonists must choose between liberty and slavery, famously stating, "Give me liberty, or give me death!"
In his speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses, Patrick Henry advocates revolt against Great Britain.
Henry's argument to separate from Britain is not what many of the colonists desire, but increasing oppression in the form of taxes and British military presence points to the increasing British aggression. And, it is a reaction against this aggression that Henry desires.
- He wants the colonies to form a militia. Henry argues that the British is using force against them without any rational reason to do so. Because Britain has fleets and armies present in the colonies, he asks the rhetorical question, "Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?....Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world....?
- When the colonists have petitioned against this oppression, their petitions have been "slighted" and more violence and insult has come upon them.
- All that is left to the...
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- colonists after their petitions have been met with only violence is nothing but to fight. "An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!"
- The colonists will be no stronger than they are now. For, they have "the holy cause of liberty" and they will be "invincible by any force that the enemy can send...." Thus, it is, indeed, the time to act.
- Many people cry "Peace, peace!" but there is really no peace because the "war is actually begun!" Here Henry implies that they are already oppressed at British guards stand in the doorways of shops and homes. Henry compares the threatening actions of Britain to an approaching storm and the colonists to the ancient Israelites who were heedless about the repercussions of their idolatry. (Ezekiel told the Israelites that "the sword should be upon them, and the high places built upon them should be destroyed" because of their sinfulness, but they ignored him.)
- Henry asks his audience if they wish to purchase their so-called peace at the price of "chains and slavery." Instead, he argues with his famous line, "...as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"
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