When England taxed the American colonies to pay for the French and Indian war, the colonies became enraged and ardently resisted. What was at stake was the right of the colonists to govern and tax themselves versus the Britain’s absolute authority over its empire.
In Virginia, Patrick Henry brought this issue to the forefront. His impassioned and eloquent speeches against British Parliament and the Stamp Act rattled complacent gentry, stirred others to the cause and resonated throughout the colonies.
In the 1775 Virginia Convention at St. John’s Church, Henry again caused an uproar when he called to arm a militia to defend against an increasingly authoritative England. Henry predicted that “the next gale that blows from the North will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms.” Less than three weeks later shots were fired at Lexington and Concorde and the revolution had begun.
In the same speech Patrick Henry declared, “…is life so dear or peace so sweet 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 immortal words spread throughout the colonies and became a rallying cry for revolution.
Today, Patrick Henry’s Liberty or Death speech is one our nation’s most legendary speeches. It is in the same league as Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Martin Luther King’s I have a Dream speech.
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