Patrick Henry Give Me Liberty Speech

Who gives the speech at the second Virginia Convention?

• Lt, Governor Dunmore of the Royal Marines

• Patrick Henry

• William Wirt

• Thomas Jefferson

What is the speaker's main purpose in giving this speech?

• He wants to discourage people from joining together to fight Britain

• He wants to return to England to avoid the persecution he is facing in the colonies

• To keep Lt. Governor Dunmore from interrupting the Second Virginia Convention

• To encourage members of the community to join forces to fight against Great Britain for America's freedom

How does the speaker feel about the people who have just spoken before him?

• He thinks they are ignorant for feeling differently than he does

• He reveres them and thinks that they are just as patriotic as he is for defending their viewpoint

• He believes that they are uneducated and uninformed about the severity of the issues at hand

• He believes they are being treasonous towards the country because they do not want the same thing he does

What has our speaker claimed they have done to reconcile with England?

• They have belittled the King of England for his actions

• They have taken boats back to England to speak with the king about gaining independence

• They have requested, begged, pleaded, and argued with Britain to release them and give them freedom

• They have already gone to war with Britain

What evidence proves Britain is not willing to release the colonies and grant them freedom?

• " I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House?"

• " I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings."

• "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience."

• "Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land."

What is the result of the speech?

• Britain maintains control of America

• Americans decide to go to war with Britain

• Each country decided to call a truce

• America looses the fight against Britain and becomes enslaved

Henry points out a contradiction between British

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

• settlement of American 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 does this 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 failed.

Henry states that the colonists have the advantage over the British of

• a more rigorously trained army

• a greater number of people

• moral correctness and conviction

• knowledge of the terrain

Henry's speech and manner of delivery can best be compared to those of

• political figures throughout the ages.

• Jonathan Edwards and the Puritans (Sinners in the Hands)

• modern-day newscasters

• members of the British House of Commons