“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!”
These words first rang out in Richmond’s St. John’s Church on March 23, 1775. Approximately 120 delegates were meeting to discuss Virginia’s position regarding King George III. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both attending this Second Virginia Convention. The United States was not yet an independent nation. The colonies were under British rule, which meant King George III governed them.
What exactly was happening in the colonies at this time? There was a great deal of unrest and there was talk of revolution. The British government thought they had the right to tax the colonies and control their trade. Only six months earlier delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies (Georgia could not attend) met in Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress. They were meeting to decide what to do. Some wanted to stop trade with the British and some were talking of fighting the British.
On March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry made his speech to a group of Virginia legislators to convince them that Virginia should support the Revolutionary War effort. Below is the closing paragraph of Patrick Henry’s famous speech. The last 7 words are renown.
“It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
Henry’s speech is credited for inspiring the Virginia delegates to take up arms. That same day they passed a resolution that would create a militia in Virginia to be used for self-defense. Less than a month after Henry’s speech on April 19, 1775 the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired in the towns of Lexington and Concord.
Patrick Henry’s speech ‘Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death’ on March 23, 1775 was a very important and inspiring event in American history. The shots fired in Lexington and Concord have been called the shots heard around the world. I say the words of Patrick Henry ‘Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death’ are the words heard around the world.
Test Your Thinking Skills
1. Who ruled the colonies in 1775?
A. George Washington B. Patrick Henry C. Thomas Jefferson D. King George III
2. According to the article what two future presidents attended the Second Virginia Convention along with Patrick Henry?
A. George Washington and John Adams B. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson C. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson D. George Washington and James Madison
3. Read the sentence below from the passage. The last 7 words are renown. What does the word renown mean in this sentence?
A. Not known by many people B. Being known or talked about by many people C. Very important D. Quickly forgotten
4. What was the purpose of Patrick Henry’s speech?
A. To tell the delegates he wanted to be free B. To encourage Virginia to send troops to fight in the Revolutionary War C. To let the delegates know he wasn’t afraid to die D. To become an important person
5. In the article it said that the United States was not yet an independent nation. What does that mean?
A. We did not have a president B. We only had 13 colonies C. We did not have an army D. We did not govern ourselves 6. What did Patrick Henry mean in his speech when he said, “Why stand we here idle?”
A. It’s lazy to just stand around B. We should have more important things to do than just stand here C. We are located in the wrong place D. He was asking why aren’t we doing anything to help in the war effort
7. The first shots of the Revolutionary War fired in Lexington and Concord were called the shots heard around the world. What do you think this meant?
A. Our fight for freedom would inspire other nations to do the same B. People in Canada could hear the gunfire C. The world saw the battle on TV D. The soldiers involved were from another country
8. I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” Explain what Patrick Henry meant with these words.
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CHALLENGE: Research Patrick Henry and write
A product of down 10 facts that you learned about him. Take those facts and write an informational article. Whimsical
Writers Write your article in paragraph form using complete sentences.