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Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death
Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775
Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” Speech is a great primary source for the study of the American revolution. Below are links to three performances of the speech along with the full text.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxcc44yQGrU (5,600+ views /time: 10:10) Dr. Ralph Green Excellent quality, great performance.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEOets_L7vg (120,100+ views / time: 4:33) On stage performance. Good quality, only the second half of the speech is performed.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY-8V6garUc (5,500+ views / time: 7:44)
There also is a worksheet with vocabulary terms and questions.
Full Text of the Speech
No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free– if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending–if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained–we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable–and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
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!
Worksheet
Name:
Patrick Henry: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Speech
Define (paragraph #) – for each word
- list the part of speech (adj, n, v)
- write a definition to the best of your ability based on the context.
- sentiments (1)
- magnitude (1)
- treason (1)
- revere (1)
- indulge (2)
- arduous (2)
- betrayed (3)
- submission (3)
- accumulation (3)
- beseech (3)
- avert (3)
- In vain (3)
- noble (3)
- obtained (3)
- adversary (4)
- bound (4)
- brethren (5)
- course (5)
Name:
Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death
Answer the following questions.
- “I considered it nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery.” After reading the entire speech, what do you believe Patrick Henry means by the terms “freedom” and “slavery.” Explain what each word is meant to represent.
- ‘The lamp of experience” is what Patrick Henry is using to move forward to take his next step. What is his “experience” with British policies? Give three specific examples of British behavior towards the colonies.
- List some things that the colonists have done “in vain,” done without any results to show for the work.
- “We shall not fight our battles alone.” – What is he referring to and how will it impact the battle?
- “Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” His closing lines are designed to stir emotions and to excite the audience. In a paragraph, explain what Patrick Henry might hope the audience “hears” and what actions they might take.
Possible Answers
- Freedom – fighting for independence, standing up to the unjust policies of the British and freeing themselves from the tyranny of British rule. Slavery – accepting the status quo, Do nothing and accept unfair policies based on “taxation without representation.”
- The lamp of experience
- “Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.”
- Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. …Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other.
- “Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing.”
- “We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!”
- (This questions if similar to the previous one and may not be necessary.) In Vain: “We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!”
- God and his support of justice – “There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.”
- Answers will vary.
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