Mrs. King
English 6th Hour
20 December 2016
Patrick Henry “I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death”. Patrick Henry, someone who came from a poor family, became a voice to many many people. His early life, how he got there, why he was there and the later years. Lead up to how amazing Patrick Henry really is as an individual.
Benson states that on May 29, 1736, Patrick Henry was born. He grew up in Studley Virginia and was born there. He was raised by Sarah Winston, and John Henry, together they had nine kids and Patrick Henry was the second son of the nine. John was from Scotland and went to college at Aberdeen …show more content…
John’s Church with the famous speech he himself wrote, “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death”. Since the American Revolution was such a devastating event for many American colonists, he wrote a very powerful speech that reports, he would rather die than to not have freedom. This speech is one of my favorite speeches because it is so powerful. Patrick Henry was an opponent of the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts. The Stamp Act, was passed by the British parliament on March 22, 1765. It was on all the people, the act wanted them to pay tax for every printed paper they used. Back then, it was a lot because they didn’t have technology like we do now. They made them tax ship’s papers, newspapers, and even playing cards were taxed from this act states Benson. The Townshend Act, in 1767 was designed to collect revenue from the colonists. Revenue is annual income in which public expenses are met. Patrick Henry couldn’t take this anymore that’s a reason why he wrote the “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death” speech, to protest and state that these acts forced upon the colonists isn’t right. Benson states that, Henry introduced a series of resolutions against the Stamp Act. He said that the people of America shouldn’t have to obey laws forced upon them, especially when the laws are so …show more content…
He did it for the best of the people their safety, and rights. Since he didn’t approve of the plan, he wanted to add something to the Constitution in exchange for approval, states Benson. He worked with the father of the Constitution known as James Madison and together they tried to add what is known as The Bill of Rights. After the American Revolution, Patrick Henry and James Madison teamed up and got the Bill of Rights into the Constitution and made an approval. Later on Patrick went back to law practice. Patrick got the opportunity to be the sixth governor of Virginia, but he decided not to run. He was then again elected to run for governor and accepted it. When he decided that he would be the governor, he didn’t realize he had cancer...which lead to his death. Patrick Henry died before his governor opportunity began. At the age of 63, Patrick passed away from stomach cancer in Brookneal Virginia, on June 6th,