ipl-logo

Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Arguments Against The Ratification Of The Constitution

1192 Words5 Pages

1. This document was recorded and written during the Virginia Convention of 1788. In this recording of the Virginia Convention, the opposing side against the ratification of the constitution presented its arguments of why the new constitution should not be ratified. The writers or authors of this document are Patrick Henry, George Mason and an unknown recorder. Patrick Henry was born on May 29th, 1736. He was a lawyer, orator, statesmen, early critic or the British government and a leader towards the movement of independence of the United States (Kukla Jon). George Mason was born in 1725 and was an influential lawmaker and planter who served in the House of Burgesses, House of Delegates and Truro Parish Vestry. He led the anti-federalist in …show more content…

There are several points made throughout this document. One starting point made by Patrick Henry was “the public mind, as well as my own, is extremely uneasy at the proposed change of government” (Henry and Mason, 152). With these few words, Henry clearly states his point of view against the ratification of the new constitution. He then continues on by stating that by having a new government, the security, liberty, rights and representation of the people will not be fully and adequately formulated/expressed by this new government (Henry and Mason, 153). Henry supports this by stating his displeasure towards the gentlemen who wrote the constitution by stating “what right had they to say, we, the people?” Making it clear that Patrick Henry ultimately believes that the new government will deprive the people of their rights and not make their voices heard (Henry and Mason 153). A great point made by George Mason was “the power is calculated to annihilate totally the state governments” (Henry and Mason, 153). By these few words, George Mason is trying to convey that the idea of a new government is the actual form of a confederation to a consolidated government, a government where the states will lose power and one that would cause for the people to be taxed by different powers. George Mason continues off with the point about taxation by stating that with a consolidated government, the people will not have full representation in the general government making it a situation like it used to be when Britain was in power (Henry and Mason, 153). A point made by Patrick Henry is his concern about the principles of the system proposed and holds in the constitution. Patrick mentions “the principles of this system are extremely pernicious, impolitic, and dangerous. Is this a monarchy life England- a compact between prince and the people” (Henry and Mason, 154). Patrick question whether this new form of government will lead to a monarchy, one that will deprive or endanger

Show More
Related

'Mercy Otis Warren, Excerpts From' Observations On The New Constitution

675 Words | 3 Pages

Despite the fact that excerpt 7.4, “James Madison, Excerpts from ‘Federalist NO. 51’ (1788)”, and excerpt 7.5, “Mercy Otis Warren, Excerpts from ‘Observations on the New Constitution, and the Federal and State Conventions by a Columbian Patriot’ (1788)” have their differences, there are also some similarities between the two. In the first reading, excerpt 7.4, James Madison wrote an essay to why the people of each state should ratify for the Constitution. James Madison is a federalist. Madison describes that the states would have a constitution, which would have certain laws that all states have to follow, but that they can still have some state laws of their own.

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Speech In The Virginia Convention

524 Words | 3 Pages

Under the control of the British Parliament in 1775, the American colonies consider going to war in order to gain independence from Britain. In “Patrick Henry’s Speech in the Virginia Convention,” Henry addresses the need for American colonists to work together to stop the British from controlling them. Thus, Henry’s periodic sentence, rhetorical questions, antithesis, and anaphora successfully convince the American colonists to unite against the British and to bring awareness to their wrongdoings. Firstly, Henry applies periodic sentences and rhetorical questions to convey the idea that the American Colonists must fight back against the British by working together if they want to gain freedom. Henry believes that “if [they] wish to

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Address To The Virginia Congress

435 Words | 2 Pages

¨Patrick Henry Speech¨ : Rhetorical Use In his speech to the Virginia Congress, Patrick Henry uses rhetorical devices such as an extended metaphor and hyperbole to contribute to his purpose of coercing the other delegates to accept the upcoming conflict with Britain. In his address to the Virginia Congress, Henry establishes the urgency of preparing for the inevitable war with the British. In his speech, Henry uses a ‘storm’ to symbolize the conflict that is on the horizon.

Read More

Patrick Henry's Contribution To The American Revolution

234 Words | 1 Pages

So how was a major figure in the American Revolution? Well, in the events that led to the Revolution he took a major stance, most famously in his criticism of George III after the Stamp Act got approved.   He opposed the prices forced by the Townshend Acts and the British attempt to collect them by using the Royal Navy

Read More

The Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Speech

730 Words | 3 Pages

Lawyer and politician, Patrick Henry in his speech, “Give me Liberty Or Give Me Death” (March 23, 1775), explains that he give this plea to urge the old dominion to form militias to defend itself against British. He supports his claim by first using a religious reference to express the themes of freedom, equality, and independence. Then uses a selection of other strategies like rhetorical question and allusion to disprove the opposing arguments and clarify the point he is making. Patrick Henry purpose is to fight back and he wants other to fight with him in order for independence. He creates a powerful and commanding tone for the second Virginia convention.

Read More

Pros And Cons Of Patrick Henry

564 Words | 3 Pages

Per Henry “A year ago the minds of our citizens were in perfect repose” before ratification. Henry is concerned with the rights of the people and what would happen to them after ratification. “You ought to be extremely cautious, watchful, jealous of your liberty; for, instead of securing your rights, you may lose them forever.” Henry is objecting to ratification because “one government cannot reign over so extensive a county without absolute despotism.” The government will take over with power of their three branches and limit the people’s right to an extremely low point.

Read More

Ratification Of The Us Constitution Dbq Essay

827 Words | 4 Pages

Hence Federalists came up with the Bill of Rights as a way to get the Constitution ratified and for people to really see a needed change. The Bill Of Rights which lists specific prohibitions on governmental power, lead the Anti-Federalists to be less fearful of the new Constitution . This guaranteed that the people would still remain to have rights, but the strong central government that the country needed would have to be approved. The 1804 Map of the nation shows that even after the ratification of the United States Constitution there still continued to be “commotion” and dispute in the country.(Document 8) George Washington stated that the people should have a say in the nation and government and everything should not be left to the government to decide.(Document 3) Although George Washington was a Federalist many believed he showed a point of view that seemed to be Anti-Federalists. Many believed that The Bill of Rights needed to be changed and modified and a new document’s time to come into place.

Read More

Patrick Henry Speech Essay

634 Words | 3 Pages

The speeches these men brought within society served as inspiration to stand up for themselves whether to create peace or war. As Patrick Henry spoke of the suffering and poverty the people went through, he tried to make a connection of feelings along with giving his listeners the willpower to do something about it. Whereas Kennedy rather stated his actions that were going to be put in place for the good of the people while he was enrolled in office. So the question that’s brought to the table is who achieved more success and persuasion within their speech and who deserved the people’s acceptance of ideas.

Read More

Patrick Henry's Argumentative Essay

301 Words | 2 Pages

I would imagine that the idea of an independent American was not an easy idea for many to stand by. Many would have probably thought that it was an effort that was not worth the risks, that fighting the kingdom of Britain would bring too heavy a cost. But of course, there were those with enough courage to speak openly about their feelings on their country 's situation. Patrick Henry seemed like a man that was willing to do whatever it took to gain independence. Henry’s letter made me proud to be an American, and to know that these men and women were coming together to fight for a better future.

Read More

Comparing Patrick Henry's Speech To The Virginia Convention

457 Words | 2 Pages

Compare and Contrast Essay Freedom, equality, and success are all similar but different views in life. In Patrick Henry's speech “Speech to the Virginia convention” he talked about how he believed people could achieve these beliefs. In a like manner so did John F Kennedy in his “inaugural speech”. Both JFK and Patrick Henry viewed freedom, equality, and success in very similar but different ways.

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry Persuasive Speech

545 Words | 3 Pages

“ Give me liberty or give me death”,( Patrick Henry). The most well known speech given by the prestigious Patrick Henry on March 23, 1775 expressing his thoughts and feelings about fighting back against Britain and protecting their beloved country. At this time the British was defeating America terribly which had made Patrick Henry feel as though his freedom was being jeopardized. Patrick Henry’s speech was an attempt to persuade the american citizens not to just sit and do nothing, he wanted to fight back against Britain. Patrick Henry felt as though many of the citizens were not aware of the seriousness of what was happening and that the needed to have a wake up call.

Read More

Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Revolutionary Speech

560 Words | 3 Pages

Revolutionary Speeches: A Common Purpose The revolutionary speeches composed of by Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine both have common goals in terms of the changes that they want made to the way of life for all Americans. The technique and manner in which the two conduct their speeches are significantly different, though. Patrick Henry’s speech is mainly to persuade the Virginia Convention to be more assertive toward the British government, and to prepare for war if the convention's voice was not acknowledged by them. Thomas Paine’s speech, “The Crisis: Number 1”, was also to written to persuade the American people.

Read More

The Importance Of Patrick Henry's Speech To Virginia Convention

419 Words | 2 Pages

.“No man thinks more highly than I do of patriotism” (Henry). Patrick Henry lived from 1736-1799 and was a tall, lank, somber-looking man that dressed like a preacher. He was a lawyer at age 29 and had a speech against the Stamp Act. He wrote his Speech to Virginia Convention to get the people to vote for him for presidency.

Read More

The Importance Of Patrick Henry's Speech In The Virginia Convention '

706 Words | 3 Pages

Near the end of British control, the American colonists got angry about what was happening in their country and start to spread the idea of self-rule. In 1775, Patrick Henry gave the “Speech in the Virginia Convention” to persuade the representatives to prepare for the impending war with the British and fight for independence. One reason Patrick Henry wants to persuade them into to following him is to prepare for war. He wishes to convince them to prepare for the incoming “storm” which they have been doing “everything that could be done” to avoid the “storm”. He is trying to convince the delegates that the option of war is impossible to hold off any longer and will not wait for the colonists to be ready.

Read More

Patrick Henry Speech To The Second Virginia Convention Rhetorical Analysis

701 Words | 3 Pages

Rhetorical Analysis Convincing people of something or to do something is not an easy task but Patrick Henry's “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention” shows how well someone can persuade people when they trust you, appeal to their emotions, or back up what you are saying with facts...ethos, pathos, and logos. The purpose of this speech is to persuade the colonist to fight against the british. Patrick is talking to the members of the virginia convention and what they need to do to become free. Patrick Henry uses ethos to help convince the audience that he knows what he's talking about and how they should trust him.

Read More

More about Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Arguments Against The Ratification Of The Constitution

Related Topics

Open Document