Patrick Henry

Speech in the Virginia Convention

In 1765, Patrick Henry was elected to the

Virginia House of Burgesses. Shortly after his

election, he delivered one of his most

powerful speeches in opposition to the

Stamp Act. In 1775, Henry delivered his

most famous speech at the Virginia

Provincial Convention Boldly urging armed

resistance To England.

In the years that followed, Henry continued

to be an important political leader, serving as

governor of Virginia And member of the

Virginia General Assembly.

Bio: Example

It was said

that Patrick Henry

could move His listeners to

anger, fear, or laughter

More easily than the most talented

actor.

Remembered most for

his fiery battle cry—

“Give me Liberty or Give me death!”

—Henry is considered to be

the most powerful orator

of the

American Revolution.

Historical perspective: Example

Patrick Henry helped to

Inspire Colonists to unite

in an effort to win

their independence from

Great Britain.

His speech had a powerful

impact on the audience,

feeding the Revolutionary spirit that

led to the signing

of the

Declaration of Independence.

Impact: Example

Theme: Example

“For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery.”

Main/key Points: Example

“different men often see the same subject

in different lights...

Should I keep back my opinions at such a time,

through fear of Giving offense,

I should consider myself as guilty of treason

Toward my country,

and an act of disloyalty toward

the Majesty Of Heaven.”

Patrick Henry thought that it was his duty to speak his Honest feelings concerning the tyrannical British rule.

Speech segment: Example

“They tell us, sir, that we are weak-unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.But when shall we be stronger? Will it benext week, or the next year? Will it bewhen we are totally disarmed, and when aBritish guard shall be stationed in everyhouse? Shall we gather strength byirresolution and inaction? Shall we acquirethe means of effectual resistance by lyingsupinely on our backs and hugging thedelusive phantom of hope until our enemies shall have bound us hand andfoot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make proper use of those means which the God ofnature hath placed in our power.”

Give me Libertyor

Give me Death!”

Poster: Example

Patrick Henry

Bonus: Rhetorical Devices - Examples

1.) Parallelism: “We have petitioned; we have remonstrated;

we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne…”

2.) Antithesis: “…I consider it as nothing less than a question of

freedom or slavery.”