Patrick Henry

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

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 be easily defeated

• all peaceful options have been tried and have failed

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

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

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 argument with the Crown

• past deeds of the British ministry

• boost that war would give the economy

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

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

Whom is 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 captured British troops

• fact that the English seek to literally enslave the colonists