Why Was Patrick Henry Important

Patrick Henry was an American lawyer born in the colony of Virginia while it was under Britain’s rule. He is mostly known for his rebellion and his call to action against British rule. Henry’s call to action was through a speech known as “Give me liberty, or give me death!” This speech was an inspiring to many people throughout Early America and it was vital in convincing the convention to pass a resolution delivering Virginian troops for the Revolutionary War. He is seen as someone similar to Martin Luther King Jr.

He made the Stamp Acts, which perturbed the British. They then sent more troops over and started the war. Patrick Henry faced challenges before he became successful. At the age of 15, Henry ran a store for his father. The business didn't last, and Henry had his first taste of failure. He married Sarah Shelton, the daughter of a local innkeeper, in 1754. As part of his wife's dowry, Henry received some farm land. He tried growing tobacco there for three years, but he didn't fare well in this new venture either. In 1757, Henry and his wife lost their farmhouse to a fire. He then managed a tavern for his father-in-law and studied to be a lawyer. In 1760, he secured his law license. "For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it." Patrick Henry was motivated by the people that suffered from British taxation. He wouldn't have been motivated to end taxation if no one was being taxed.

He was a member of the first Virginia Committee of Correspondence, which aided intercolonial cooperation, and a delegate to the Continental Congresses of 1774 and 1775. At the second Virginia Convention, on March 23, 1775, in St. John’s Church, Richmond, he delivered the speech that assured his fame as one of the great advocates of liberty. Convinced that war with Great Britain was inevitable, he presented strong resolutions for equipping the Virginia militia to fight against the British and defended them in a fiery speech with the famed peroration, “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”and Henry was elected the governor of Virginia in 1776. He served a number of one year terms as governor and also served on the Virginia state

On April 19, 1775, a gunshot was fired that changed the course of history. It started the revolutionary war. Before this day, though, many people risked everything for the cause of freedom and the idea of war. One of these people was Patrick Henry. A lawyer from Virginia, his persuasive voice in the delegates helped to fuel the revolution and the need for independence and helped us understand what we were fighting for. He helped show the public the inevitable war and independence. Patrick Henry helped fuel the revolution as an orator and important influential figure who was willing to give up personal values to support a cause that only half the public believed in, and he left his mark from helping fight to becoming the governor of Virginia

He made major contributions to the US during this time. Henry was a well known speaker and was really known for his movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770’s. Patrick Henry was first recognized and gained attention when he opposed King George III and the Stamp Act 1765. Many people considered him treasonous at the time after he spoke out against the Stamp Act. In 1763, arguing the famed “Parson's Cause” case in Hanover County, Patrick Henry proclaimed that a king who would veto a good and necessary law made by a locally elected representative body was not “the father to his people” but "a Tyrant, and forfeits the allegiance of his subjects." Henry amplified his idea to the point of treason in defending his resolutions against the Stamp Act in the House of Burgesses May 30,

“Give me liberty or give me death!” (Richard R. Beeman). This was said by Patrick Henry at the St. John’s church in Richmond, Virginia at the second revolutionary convention. This is one of the most famous quotes of all time, not only did it contribute to the Americans actually making the decision to separate, but it fired the colonist up and stunned the other members at the congress (Avalon Project). Henry was a huge figure against the British, he opposed every act that the British had imposed, and as always pushing for separation from the British. Henry had great arguments and was one of the most influential figures before, during and after the war. Henry was a very successful man, he worked hard for what he wanted to achieve and his hard-working attitude allowed him to help get the Americans involved in striving to achieve their independence and for becoming the great nation that it has become today. He was apart of the Continental Congress and the House of Burgess as well. Patrick Henry was the most influential citizen of the colonies because of his commitment to the unification of the country, his numerous acts as a patriot, and his acts for establishing a great state now known as Virginia and his contributions to the Declaration of Rights.

Patrick Henry was able to use his talents and abilities to influence the course of history during the time of the American Revolution. He used his experience and education to promote the cause of liberty, and prompted Virginia to war with these same talents. Henry was born and raised in Studley, Virginia, in the same colony where his influence was felt the strongest. Patrick Henry played a role in unifying the colonies, inciting riots that

In 1776, the colonies were divided of their relationships to Great Britain. The orator Patrick Henry made a name for himself when he gave a speech on supporting the American democracy, on breaking for 4rom Great Britain. In this speech given by Patrick Henry he shows pathos, ethos and logos to get the people of the Americans colonies to stand behind him during this time.

Patrick Henry was a man whom was a great man. He convinces us to fight the British. He uses rhetorical devices such as Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. Patrick Henry was known as "The Orator of Liberty". He was a American colonist, and he wrote speeches to inform the British colonies about war.

In his speech to the Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry was quoted “Give me Liberty, or Give me Death!” (Cohen) His speech convinced the Virginia House of Burgesses to commit the Virginia troops to the Revolutionary War against a tyrannical English government.

In March of 1775, the words of Patrick Henry rang in the ears of his fellow Virginians. He stood in St John’s Church, located in Richmond, made an audacious public speech containing his opinions in relation to the colony’s next step of action in the war. This was not the first time that Henry stood in front of an audience to present a speech. Henry was known for speaking messages that people did not forget. Prior to this speech, Patrick Henry had made his name known by writing the ‘Virginia Resolutions’ against the despised Stamp Act. In the view point of this specific speech however, Henry spoke his opinion of the war starting and what he believed as truth. Virginia was the largest American Colony, with the House of Burgesses that was the

Patrick Henry is most remembered for his powerful persuasive oratory. While other orators preached patience, Henry urges war against British with logical appeals, he persuaded the audience members to understand his point of view through common sense, specific evidence, and reasonable explanations and with emotional appeals, he was able to point out his views through imagery and diction, idealized explanations and a powerful connection to the audience. However, the main idea of his speech is to break free from the conformity of Great Britain because it is an easy route taken by many in our society.

Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736 in Hanover County, Virginia. Patrick Henry went to school for a little while, and was taught by his father. His father had a good education. Henry then got a job when he was 15. He was a storekeeper for his dad. After he failed working, he then studied law and received a license in 1760. He then studied to be a orator three years after his law license. Henry then got elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1764. Henry then got elected to be a delegate to be the First Continental Congress in August 1774.

The audience stood their in awe. No words- just opened mouths and stunning expressions. The whole world felt its power and encouragement. Patrick Henry stood their noble and spoke words of the mightiest. “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!” This was a great influential speech and a great way to show how they felt towards others. Who was Patrick Henry and how did his speech lead to the Revolutionary War?

“Give me liberty or give me death.” That was a famous quote from Patrick Henry, one of the leading figures of the American Revolutionary period. Living from 1736 to 1799, Henry lived a fulfilled life. Early in his life he was a planter and a shopkeeper, but when he failed at both of those he became a politician and an influential public speaker. This paper will examine what Patrick Henry did as a politician in the American Revolution, why it was important, and how he has made a difference in our country today.