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Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry

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Cardenas 1

Leslie Cardenas
Professor Marisol Gonzalez
English 1302
May 6, 2017
Patrick Henry “Liberty or Death” speech As far as great persuasive speakers goes on in American History, Patrick Henry was the best one yet. On March 23, 1775, a meeting taking place at the Second Convention at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Henry announced one of the most famous calls in history ever to be heard. His “Liberty or Death” speech made several statements that were in form of rhetorical questions. Meaning, he would ask one question that didn’t need to be answered by anyone, or the answer was so obvious it didn’t need an explanation. His well known words became a rallying cry during the march to the Revolutionary war that was soon to begin. …show more content…

An outspoken opponent of the Stamp and Townshend Act levied by England, he stirred discord with the famous Give me Liberty or Give me Death speech to the Virginia assembly in 1755. The Stamp Act was part of British Parliament in 1765 that demanded profits from the American colonies by imposing a stamp duty on newspapers and legal and commercial documents. During the time of the Second Convention Patrick Henry answered to the British oppressive rule over the American colonies by claiming “I know not what course other take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death”. In events that led to the Revolution he took a fundamental stance on George III on the Stamp Act. He opposed the tariffs by the Townshend Act and the British attempt to collect them by using the Royal Navy and naval courts-martial to apprehend and punish smugglers. He stood for those calling for united action by all the colonies against British “tyranny”. He backed the actions such as boycott of British goods and the upsurge Continental army. The solution he saw was to fight and fight not soon but now. The battle, he said, was to be strong, alert, active, and bold with God by their side. From everything that had happened, he foresaw war coming and instead he encouraged his brothers to embrace …show more content…

Constitution. His stirring speech that swung the balance in convincing the convention to pass a resolution delivering Virginia troops for the Revolutionary war. He rose to defend resolutions he had put forward to organize the colony’s militia for war against Great Britain. He famous words concluded from his speech “Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! 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!” This liberty or death speech was the beginning of the Bill of rights 2nd Amendments “Right to Bear Arms”. Henry fought against Lord Dunmore , who ordered all the gunpowder taken away from local patriot forces. He believes that fighting for ones freedom is a great responsibility of God and their country, he aligns God on their side of the colonists. The outcome would have been different if henry wouldn’t have announced his meaningful speech , war would haven’t happened

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