Patrick Henry- a Call for Action

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Patrick Henry’s Speech; A Call for Action Henry’s speech was a call to action. What did he want his fellow Virginians to do? What were his justifications for the proposed actions? How did Henry address the concerns of those who did not agree with him? Patrick Henry was a colonist who believed there was a time for peace and a time for action. He was speaking from frustration at over a decade of opposition and oppression from the British. He believed he should not keep his strong opinions to himself, even at the danger of offending others, because it would be just like treason to let the colony remain under the this control. He delivered his speech because he believed there were many colonists who were not prepared to join the revolution. Patrick Henry gave his speech with the purpose of persuading the colonists to stand up and fight against the British. He wanted the colonists to realize that the British had begun treating them like slaves, and they needed to fight for their freedom. If they continued to do nothing, they would stay in chains and never know liberty. Slaves often outnumbered their slave-owners, and had to continue to believe they were powerless so they wouldn't realize their power in numbers. He referenced how the British told them how weak they were, to keep them submissive. If the colonists continued to believe they were powerless against the British, they would not question the taxes and other oppressive tactics they were being used against them. Wars were not started if the inevitable outcome was a loss. The colonists would not want to engage in war if there was no hope in winning. Patrick Henry needed to encourage the colonists, and renew the hope that they could be victorious against the British. He spoke of the blinding hope many of the colonists were clinging too. Many did not want to go
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