Speech in the Virginia Convention

At the onset, Henry makes sure to

• begin with an inflammatory statement

• establish his respect for his superiors and his peers

• complain about the British

• compare their current situation to slavery

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

According to Henry, if he did not speak up, he would be guilty of:

• Treason against his country and disloyalty to God
• Cowardice and bigamy
• Political suicide

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

According to Henry, what do most people do when they are faced with a painful truth?

• Ignore the truth

• Wait for a savior

• Turn into beasts

• React in anger

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

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.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

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.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

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.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

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 a divine calling.

• knowledge of the terrain.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

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.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

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.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

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.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3