Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Essay on patrick henry biography
Essay on patrick henry biography
Essay on patrick henry biography
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Patrick Henry Patrick Henry was an American hero. He dedicated his life to fight the British and pave the way for a new country. He lead the charge in opposing unfair British taxation and encouraged the colonists to stand and fight against tyranny. Patrick Henry’s fiery speeches, uncompromisable morals, and intense desire for liberty directly influenced Americans desire for freedom. Henry’s early life prepared him to lead a country to liberty. His early life was a true iconic american one. Henry’s father, John Henry, was a wealthy planter who was married to Sarah Winston Syme Henry. Patrick was born in Hanover County, Virginia. He received most of his childhood education from his father (Schmittroth 1). “In 1760 at age twenty-three, …show more content…
Henry boldly lead the charge and opposed all unfair British taxation. He acted with allies if he could but was not afraid to lead by himself. “Henry also sponsored resolves against the stamp act, denying the power of Parliament to tax Virginians, which, published throughout the colonies, marked him as an early radical leader” (“Patrick Henry,” Encyclopedia of World Biography 1). He used his position in the House of Burgesses to deliver speech after speech opposing the British Stamp Act that required some publications and documents to have a stamp. Henry alongside Richard Henry Lee travel to the First Continental in Philadelphia to rally the people (“Patrick Henry,” Britannica School 1). Henry alongside other radicals aspired to unite the colonists as Americans to resist Britain. Henry boldly Proclaimed, “The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more,” Henry said, “I am not a Virginian, but an American” (“Patrick Henry,” Encyclopedia of World Biography …show more content…
He was well aware that his anti-British policies could result in him being tried as a traitor of the crown. Yet he persevered and not only did he continued his speeches but he acted on them. At the first revolutionary convention in 1775, Henry made his most memorable call to arms. “We must fight! [...] An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us! [...] 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” (“Patrick Henry,” Encyclopedia of World Biography 2)! This bold declaration made Virgina quickly choose independence. For six months Henry lead Virginia's regular forces, but soon resigned to let better equipped men take the role. Henry continued his bold speeches that led to the creation of the declaration of independence. Henry continued to be the constant voice for independence and freedom. His courage and commitment inspired a backwoods band of rebels to defeat the strongest known military in the world. This lead Henry to be elected the First Governor of Virginia (“Patrick Henry,” Encyclopedia of World
...ican. Henry made great effort to constantly put God first in not only his life, but in the messages that he shared with people. Amongst this, he loved his nation, especially the people of Virginia. The opinions he had regarding the Revolutionary war, were vividly explained in this speech. Mr. Henry was passionate about peace, and the love that God had for the world. He had a very strong faith, and never hesitated to express what he had learned in his Bible studies. Specifically in this message, Henry used several different Biblical themes as a way to draw in his audience. In using his knowledge of the Bible he was able to precisely get the point a crossed that he was trying to make clear. Henry believed in the freedom of the people just as God had intended it to be. If this would mean to fight for that right, then he was ready to put forth everything that he had.
The 1770s proved to be a time of much chaos and debate. The thirteen colonies, which soon gained their independence, were in the midst of a conflict with Great Britain. The colonies were suffering from repeated injuries and usurpations inflicted upon them by the British. As a result of these inflictions, Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry addressed these injustices, and proved to be very persuasive through providing reasoning and evidence that moved many colonists to believe that to reach contentment and peace the colonies had to rid themselves of British rule. Henry and Paine were successful in swaying their audience, not only because of the rhetorical strategies used, but also because they were passionate about the cause they were committed to.
At the Virginia convention in 1775 Patrick Henry spoke out anonymously about standing up to the British monarchy and gaining independence. His simple use of language and emotionally captivating passages inspired many to fight for a republic. Persuading the devout and loyal colonies to pull away from their mother country took courage.
Patrick Henry was known as “the Orator of Liberty” and created his name with his speeches. When colonists were divided in 1775, some were hoping to work it out but not Patrick Henry. He thought the only choice was to go to war with Great Britain. Henry uses ethos, pathos, and logos to show his clause for going to war with Britain.
There are few speeches in the American history that compel us towards great acts of patriotism. Patrick Henry's speech in the Virginia Provincial Convention of 1775 is a prime example of one of these great speeches. During the debates on whether or not to compromise with Great Britain, Patrick Henry proposed the idea to his fellow members of the First Continental Congress to declare war on Great Britain. A reason why the speech was so powerful was the rhetorical strategies of the diction of slavery, the appeal to God, and the appeal to logic, that he deftly employed.
(140) It was during this time period that “the government in London concerned itself with the colonies in unprecedented ways…to help raise funds to pay for the war and finance the empire.” (Forner 141) The British government was heavily in debt after fighting the Seven Years War on several fronts. The need to raise funds was paramount and the colonies were a ready source. The British government started imposing taxes on the colonies as a means of income. This was a change in the relationship between America and the mother country. Many Americans opposed these taxes. (Forner 142- 143) According to Forner, “Opposition to the Stamp Act was the first great Drama of the revolutionary era and the first major split between the colonist and Great Britain over the meaning of freedom.” (142) This act was eventually repealed by Parliament in 1766 after great opposition by Americans. (Forner 144) The Stamp Act was just the beginning of several events and taxes on the colonist leading up the Boston Tea
He addressed the cruel taxes and policies that have been placed upon the American people. He also, speaks of the tiring efforts of the colonies to overcome the impossible British policies. Henry begins his statement with the numerous actions taken by people in response to the British approach to limit their freedom. Writing in the statement, Henry complains that many actions have been taken in an effort to achieve freedom but have failed. Henry himself writes, “In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation?”. In making this comment Henry urges the British to be prepared for them. After overcoming the stamp act , Henry urges the British to be ready for revolution if freedom is not given. This exactly, Henry points out, if basic privileges are not given to men and women, there will be a war. Henry himself writes. “give me liberty, or give me death!”. Basically, Henry is warning that if freedom is not given, he is willing to fight until it is. Patrick Henry’s statement is crucial to the American cause in the War for Independence. He led the fight against the stamp act, after being elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1765. Also, he proposed his argument for going to war was in an effort to live as free men and fight. His speech inspired men to join the cause and fight for
Patrick Henry proclaimed that he was not a Virginian, but rather an American. What unified the colonists and what divided them at the time of the Revolution?
The 1770s proved to be a time of much chaos and debate. The thirteen colonies, which soon gained their independence, were in the midst of a conflict with Great Britain. The colonies were suffering from repeated injuries and usurpations inflicted upon them by the British. As a result of these inflictions, Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry addressed these injustices, and proved to be very persuasive through providing reasoning and evidence that moved many colonists to believe that to reach contentment and peace the colonies had to rid themselves of British rule. These men's works were very effective, not only because of the rhetorical devices used, but also because Paine and Henry were passionate about the cause they were committed to.
“Give me liberty or give me death!” This statement from Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention,” delivered to the House of Burgesses, has been quoted by many, becoming almost cliché. However, the declaration is truly understood by a select few. The unjust Stamp Act passed by the British crown in 1765, brought fame and notoriety to Henry as he spoke out against the unjust taxation without representation. Ten years later on the eve of revolution, Henry calls upon the Colonial government of which he is part, to act for the betterment of the people. Patrick Henry attempts to persuade the House of Burgesses to revolt and declare war against Britain by logically convincing them that it is their natural right to be free and calling on their patriotism and pride as leaders of colonial America.
Before his presidency, Adams took part in many of the historical events that marked this country. He became a prominent figure in his activities against the Stamp Act, which he wrote and published a popular article “Essay on the Canon and Feudal Law” (Ushistory.org). Word had arrived in Boston that Parliament was planning to pass a stamp tax, which was the first direct tax on the colonies, unless the colonies taxed themselves to help raise the needed revenue to pay off the war debt. The colonies, however, did not tax themselves. On March 8, 1765, the Stamp Act passed both houses of Parliament. It provided for a tax to be specified by a stamp on legal documents, newspapers, licenses, and other printed matter. Once the Stamps arrived to Boston, they were detained and burned. The people rushed in the streets saying, “No taxation without representation!” (Cowley 21-22).
Patrick Henry makes his views very clear in his Letter. He is obviously against ratifying the Constitution. His main argument's consists of the sovereignty of the states, the system of checks and balances and the senate, the leaning towards a monarchy, and absolute power. Henry thinks that the uniting of all the states under one government would take away the sovereignty of the states. He states that, "Here is a resolution as radical as that which separated us from Great Britain. It is radical in this transition; our rights and privileges are endangered, and the sove...
Patrick was the independence from England because he said it was too overwhelming for the people Patrick and Benjamin both wanted people to have equal rights because they wanted the people to rule not the president. They both wanted to be independence for great britain because they have a different kind of government than the United States. They both knew that there would be problems with the Constitution but it wasn't there fault. They both knew that there was weakens in the constitution because nothing in this world is perfect.
The speech of Patrick Henry really gave a sort of enlightenment throughout the colonies of that time period, but people wonder why this speech has a relevance to today’s society and people. Today in American society we as the people read Give me Liberty or Give me death a certain way, this speech represented a government where the people should be the one to decide it’s country's leader and not be a subject under a king or ruler. According to an article on American Remedy it tells us the way America interprets the way a government is supposed to be they say “We are supposed to have a Republican form of government, a government that comes from the consent of the people”(Ainsworth). People of America feel that we are at a state the the colonies
Patrick Henry’s effective diction emphasizes how much the British had suppressed the colonists and that it was time to fight for their freedom. Henry displays this through his strong use of pathos, logos, and ethos. His rhetorical questions really appeal to the logic and ethics of the colonists and leaves the no choice but to join him and rebel.