Give Me Lierty or Give Me Death

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Recommended: The modern impact of the second great awakening

In the spring of 1775 the settlers in the early American colonies were in a state of chaos. Protestant religious revivals, which subsequently became a permanent part of American culture, swept the colonies in the mid-eighteenth century. This Great Awakening preceded the American Revolution. Leaders of the Awakening caused a widespread call to a new spiritual birth in Christ to people of all backgrounds and social classes. This movement divided church congregations and caused people to rethink the authority of the church on society. The colonists appeared to be divested of their English rights by the British Crown. On March 23, 1775, an assembly met at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia. Patrick Henry presented his famous “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech during the debates captivating the audience. Mr. Henry’s speech is a work of genius that was a call to arms but at times almost had the tone of a sermon. He masterfully used several Biblical themes throughout his speech would have reverberated well with most of the colonists since they were in the middle of the Great Awakening which touched the lives of most of the settlers in some way.
Patrick Henry’s introduction explained his use of Biblical language. He never used direct quotations from the Bible but he used themes found in Scripture to achieve his purpose. In the opening paragraph, the assembly is reminded of their responsibilities which included placing duty to God first and duty to country second. This honored the first of the Ten Commandments given in Exodus 20:3 in which God commanded that we must not have any other god but Him. Mr. Henry also expressed in the introduction, his belief that keeping silent on the matter at hand would make him guilty...

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...s. In Patrick Henry’s instance, war was coming and the people could not escape it even though the rulers had been giving the colonists a false confidence of peace. Finally, Mr. Henry asks, “Why stand we here idle?” (Henry 1775) This reference is from Matthew 20:6 which came from a parable that Jesus told to emphasize a correct attitude in work and service. Patrick Henry was calling the patriots to service for their country and wanted them to be willing to fight for freedom and liberty.
Patrick Henry was a Christian first and patriot second. He combined his love for God and his passion for freedom into a lecture that resulted in one of the most memorable speeches in American History. His goal was for liberty and freedom for the Virginia colony and for all Americans.

Works Cited

Patrick Henry, "Give Me Liberty of Give Me Death" Speech, Richmond Virginia, 1775

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