Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death:

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We can all too well imagine the scene on March 23, 1775 when Patrick Henry gave the speech “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” that he became notorious for. The colonies were in an up rise with Britain passing even more acts to tax them and treat them as second class citizens. The time for words had passed and the leaders of fight for independence were attempting to gather forces to attempt their break with England. One of America’s great leaders said that the end of Patrick Henrys speech “sparked the War of Independence. So what was so compelling about his speech? Obviously his last words, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” were swaying words but the overall speech was a call to arms that influenced people throughout the colonies to join this fight against their mother country England. How did he do it?
There is a vast difference in society today versus society in 1775. The majority of colonists in the American colonies were Christian be they Protestant or Catholic, Amish or Pilgrim. Most people of the day had a deep religious devotion to God and lived their lives according to God’s Word. So while Patrick Henry did not blatantly quote Scripture in his speech there are several allusions to the Holy Bible throughout that people of that day would have quickly recognized. This most likely would not be the case if this speech was delivered in a political forum in today’s society.
In the opening paragraphs Patrick Henry puts forth the ideal of God first and country second. He even goes as far as to suggest that not speaking out would be “an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven which I revere above all earthly kings”. This would have resonated deeply with those who heard these words. Many of these colonists had located to th...

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...ch of its meaning would be lost on those listening. Not only because the Biblical knowledge in society today is rare but also because many would bemoan the issue of the separation of church and state. However it is the exact issue of the coming together of church and state that created the profound and lasting impression that it did. Not only did he appeal to their sense of patriotism but also to their strong religious beliefs. “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” has earned its reputation of being one of the most well-known speeches in history.

Works Cited

Henry, Patrick. "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death." literati by credo. http://literati.credoreference.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/content/entry/chambspeeches/give_me_liberty_or_give_me_death/0 (accessed April 7, 2014).
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.

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