Famous for his “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech that he gave in 1775, Patrick Henry had a huge impact on the Revolutionary War in many different ways, but his most known call to action was his outstanding and mesmerizing speech. Henry played huge role in America’s resistance to the English. Being the Governor of Virginia, he contributed a great amount in the making of the war. In fact, Henry played such a leadership role in preparation for the fighting, that historians today refer to him as the “Sword of the War.” Even as a young man, Henry was known to stand up against the English’s policies due to his protesting against the Stamp Act. However, this was only the beginning of his resistance to the French for this rebellion would in time lead up to his incredible leadership in promoting the Revolutionary War and the life changing speech that he gave. Using nothing but his words, Henry motivated the colonists to fight by explaining his thoughts without being disrespectful and showing them what would happen if they were to hold back. Henry’s speech was one of the greatest deciding factors that led the colonies into war, and, for this reason, it is still one of the most important speeches that has ever been given. What was so important that pushed Henry to give his speech? When Henry gave his speech in the third Virginia convention, his number one goal was to cause the other men, who were the ones in charge of the thirteen colonies, to agree with his beliefs in that they must stand up to the British with fighting instead of giving in to their selfish desires. Henry justified this by telling the men, “If we wish to be free – if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending – if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained – we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us!” There was nothing that Henry wanted more than to be free and was willing to do whatever it took to have his freedom, and for this reason, he used his golden tongue to motivate the others with his speech. Henry used several approaches in persuading the people to side with him throughout his speech, but the methods that were most influential consisted of his examples that showed them why fighting was necessary and his constant reminders to the men that God was on their side. Henry’s actual approach to urging the men involved explaining certain scenarios that could have easily happen if they were to have surrendered to Britain. A few of these examples were exaggerated to get his point across. One example of this would be when Henry states, “They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hop, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which God of nature hat placed in our power.” Henry said this to challenge the men to realize that the difficulty in fighting off Britain would only increase; for if they did not stand up to them now, the complications between the two countries would only worsen as time continued. These two simple facts brought a large sum of persuasion to the table and overtook the minds of the men as they eventually came to reason with Henry’s point of view. Henry attained what he was trying to accomplish, but how did he specifically change the views of those who did not agree with him at first? Henry’s speech was very convincing to the other men, which he already knew it would be because of the fantastic speaker that he was; however, it took more than just giving examples that caused the speech to be such a success. Aside from actual convincing, one thing in particular that helped Henry tremendously in moving the men’s opinions was his ability to get his point across without upsetting or offending any of them. He acquired this by beginning his speech with a short heartfelt message about how everyone would not agree with what he was about to say, but that he is simply stating the situation as he sees it and means no offense or harm to anyone in any way. His exact words were, “No man, Mr. President, thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities of the very honorable gentlemen who have just addressed this House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful of those worthy gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.” Saying this was brilliant and necessary since he issued his beliefs and disbeliefs in specific aspects, such as slavery, which could have badly offended some of the others. Having the intelligence to take the feelings of the others into consideration before speaking was crucial in trying to turn their opinions, and it paid off greatly as he wonderfully succeeded in his goal. It is possible that Americans today would still not have their freedom if Henry had not of given his beyond persuasive speech. This is because the speech had an enormous impact on the development of the Revolutionary War. By professionally presenting his ideas on what he wanted, Henry used his God given talent, speaking, to prove that his way was the right way. Henry’s speech was one of the key factors that initiated Americans to fight for their freedom, and is, therefore, still considered legendary today.

Bibliography
Give me Liberty or Give me Death, Barefoot . http://www.barefootsworld.net/libertyordeath.html (accessed November, 11 2013).
Liberty University. Patrick Henry. Online video. Directed by Liberty University. Lynchburg: Liberty University, 2011.