"Speech in the Virginia Convention"

Henry points out a contradiction between British...

• claims of peaceful intent and their growing military presence in America.

• settlement of America and maintenance of their government in Britain.

• interest in the Colonies and neglect of the colonists' needs.

• democratic tradition and the institution of royalty.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

Henry recounts several instances in which the colonists sought agreement and acceptable terms with the British. He reviews these incidents in order to persuade the delegates that...

• it is treason to seek peace with the British.

• the colonists have behaved in a cowardly way.

• the British army is weak and can easily be defeated.

• all peaceful options have been tried and failed.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

Henry states that the colonists have the advantage over the British because the colonists have...

• a more rigorously trained army.

• a greater number of people.

• moral correctness and conviction.

• knowledge of the terrain.

Henry advocates immediate action by the colonists because the...

• British army is preparing to march into Virginia.

• king is too far away to order a quick response.

• conflict has already begun and the colonists have no choice but to fight.

• colonists will become apathetic or unconcerned if they don't act.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

The MAIN purpose of Patrick Henry's speech is to...

• convince the delegates that he should be chosen to lead the revolution.

• describe the history of British colonization in America.

• seek revenge for personal injuries committed by the British king.

• persuade his fellow delegates to fight against the British.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

One point that Henry DOES NOT cite as a reason for immediate military action is the...

• buildup of British armed forces in the Colonies.

• uselessness of further arguments with the Crown.

• past deeds of the British ministry.

• boost that war could give the economy.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

With the words "God... will raise up friends to fight our battles for us," Henry is suggesting...

• other nations might come to the aid of the colonists.

• the colonists need not fight; others will do it for them.

• the colonists are dependent on an act of God for victory.

• aid will appear mysteriously out of nowhere.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

Henry seeks to dissuade the delegates from resorting to argument because...

• the British might take recourse to military action.

• after ten years all attempts at argument have been exhausted.

• more can be achieved through reason than through hotheaded exchanges.

• words can never settle anything.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.SL.11-12.3

To whom is Patrick Henry addressing when he uses the word "sir"?

• The king of England

• The president of the convention

• An imaginary listener

• President Thomas Jefferson

When Henry uses the words "chains and slavery" near the end of his speech, he is referring to the...

• situation of African Americans in the Colonies.

• price he does not want people to pay for peace.

• possibility of enslaving British troops.

• fact that the English seek to literally enslave the colonists.