Speech to the Second Virginia Convention Analysis From 1764 to 1773 British rule set forth a series of statutes upon the American colonies these varied from taxes to forcing colonists to house and feed British soldiers. The aftereffect of the enactments were the Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Because of the tea party, the British Parliament set a series of laws called the Intolerable Acts in 1774. This was meant to punish the colonies for their previous protests and riots, but instead it became the catalyst for the colonists to revolt. On March 23rd 1775 Patrick Henry gave a speech at the Second Virginia convention to persuade the conference goers to vote in favor of Virginia joining the revolution. To do this he uses specific wording to initiate outrage and feelings of being wronged as well as using his credibility as a christian, patriot, and congressman. Throughout his Speech Patrick mentions patriotism, even in the first line he states ‘No man thinks more highly than I do of patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have addressed the house.’ This appears to be to assure that he does not deny the patriotism of the men in the house because their opinions contrast his, this gives him a polite air as to not …show more content…
People weren’t avid readers but they knew the bible from cover to cover. A religious man was seen as credible and well read. Patrick Henry Knew this and used it well to be seen as reliable. When he talks of being guilty of treason for being complacent in the war, he says he is more disloyal to his god which he holds above all earthly kings. He also uses God to reassure that they would not lose if they joined, because God is on their side. ‘Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in out power…’ (Henry 3). This use of religion strengthens spirits and strengthens