Patrick Henry
“Give me Liberty or give me death!”

Robert C. Ramsey II
History 221-D23, Survey of American History I
November 5, 2012

While addressing the Second Virginia Convention at the St. Johns Church in Richmond, Virginia Patrick Henry gave his call to arms speech. It was a call to action, the time for talk and half measures was over. “He stated there was no time for ceremony”.1 He wanted colonist to see how England did not see them as equal but as a servant. The Question he raised was it freedom or slavery? Patrick Henry felt so strongly on the subject of liberty just the act of not making this speech would be treason to him. “I should consider myself guilty of treason toward my country, and of an act disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings”1. He wanted his fellow Virginians to see how England was and would still oppress the colonies if they let them continue. He wanted them to see something had to be done about the way England was treating the colonies. He wanted them to know the truth. Patrick Henry justified this by using the past ten years as an example how England had listened to their grievances and complaints only to be met with a false sense that England actually cared about what was happening in the colonies. The British have repeatedly threatened the revocation of its charter. Over the past decade England had taxed the colonies without any representation in the matter and then trying harder and harder to get more money. An example of this was “Revenue Act of 1764 (Sugar Act). This bill was so the colonist could help maintain an army for their protection.”2 Then the “Stamp Act of 1765” that taxed newspaper and printed material.2 Patrick Henry protested this tax on the floor of the assembly. This just added fuel to the fire for the colonist. It was made plain that the colonies could no longer trust England. Patrick Henry also gave examples of the treatment. If England cared so much why did they send troops? Was it to force them back into compliance? There was an event that took place in “Boston on March 5, 1770. It was referred to as the Boston Massacre where five Americans were killed.”2 Although these events were not in Patrick Henrys speech the events must have been still fresh on their minds. Patrick Henrys speech was well thought out and written. He addressed the issues at hand and if you disagreed with him he was very respectful in addressing that matter. He knew that there were men there who did not feel as strongly about liberty as he did but he spoke “freely and without reserve”1. Patrick Henry was very blunt in his approach he would ask, “Are we just to sit silence with our eyes shut?”1 He would ask more questions such as, “Shall we try argument?”1 It was very clear that time for speaking was over at this point. Patrick Henry was very clever in choosing his words in this speech. He knew with the right words he would be more convincing and convicting. Patrick Henry used the example of being “bind and rivet upon us.”1 Being chained in bondage as slaves to England. The colonists were being forced into submission. So England could do whatever they wanted to the colonies or what was in the best interest of England. In Patrick Henry’s day they undoubtedly lived and governed while knowing and trusting God. Patrick Henry used various biblical themes in his speech, here are some of the ones that stand out “It is only this way we can hope to arrive at the truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. We must fight! I repeat it, sir we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left. They tell us, sir that we are weak, unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Besides, sir we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will rise up friends to fight our battles for us. Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me give me liberty or give me death!”1 In using biblical themes in his speech Patrick Henry was able to appeal to his audience. In the days of Patrick Henry the Great Awakening has opened the eyes of the country as far as religion was concerned. They not only talk of God. They lived a God fearing life and wanted God in there self-government. God was part of all aspect of life in the colonies from political activists right on down to the clergy. No one was omitted. The foundation of this country was built by God fearing men that believed in God and wanted him in every part of their lives and government. They knew the importance of this and the very thought of God not being the foundation is an insult to our founding fathers.

Bibliography
1. “Give me liberty our give me death!” From “Chambers Classic Speeches” http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/entry/chambspeeches/give_me_liberty_or_give_me_death (accessed on November 7, 2012). 2. Brands H.W, Breen T.H., Williams R., Gross A., American Stories, A History of the United States. Vol. 1, Second Edition, Pearson.