Speech in the Virginia Convention

At the onset, Henry makes sure to

• begin with an inflammatory statement

• establish his respect for his superiors and his peers

• complain about the British

• compare their current situation to slavery

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CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

According to Henry, if he did not speak up, he would be guilty of:

• Treason against his country and disloyalty to God
• Cowardice and bigamy
• Political suicide

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CCSS.RL.11-12.1

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According to Henry, what do most people do when they are faced with a painful truth?

• Ignore the truth

• Wait for a savior

• Turn into beasts

• React in anger

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CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

Henry points out a contradiction between British...

• claims of peaceful intent and their growing military presence in America.

• settlement of America and maintenance of their government in Britain.

• interest in the Colonies and neglect of the colonists' needs.

• democratic tradition and the institution of royalty.

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Henry recounts several instances in which the colonists sought agreement and acceptable terms with the British. He reviews these incidents in order to persuade the delegates that...

• it is treason to seek peace with the British.

• the colonists have behaved in a cowardly way.

• the British army is weak and can easily be defeated.

• all peaceful options have been tried and failed.

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CCSS.RI.11-12.6

Henry seeks to dissuade the delegates from resorting to argument because...

• the British might take recourse to military action.

• after ten years all attempts at argument have been exhausted.

• more can be achieved through reason than through hotheaded exchanges.

• words can never settle anything.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.SL.11-12.3

Henry states that the colonists have the advantage over the British because the colonists have...

• a more rigorously trained army.

• a greater number of people.

• moral correctness and a divine calling.

• knowledge of the terrain.

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CCSS.RI.11-12.1

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CCSS.W.11-12.9

Henry advocates immediate action by the colonists because the...

• British army is preparing to march into Virginia.

• king is too far away to order a quick response.

• conflict has already begun and the colonists have no choice but to fight.

• colonists will become apathetic or unconcerned if they don't act.

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One point that Henry DOES NOT cite as a reason for immediate military action is the...

• buildup of British armed forces in the Colonies.

• uselessness of further arguments with the Crown.

• past deeds of the British ministry.

• boost that war could give the economy.

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CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

With the words "God... will raise up friends to fight our battles for us," Henry is suggesting...

• other nations might come to the aid of the colonists.

• the colonists need not fight; others will do it for them.

• the colonists are dependent on an act of God for victory.

• aid will appear mysteriously out of nowhere.

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CCSS.L.11-12.5

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