Kyle Simpson
Mrs. Brett
Language Arts
January 10, 2017
2017 Argumentative Writing Prompt
It’s unthinkable to nail down the elements of the American Revolution. Innumerable events were the beginning of it all. I believe that imposing taxes without representation set the level for the Declaration of Independence and the American War. By 1763, assessments were intolerable in Britain and still ascending, but in the coming four years, the British Parliament start passing laws to boost money through taxing the American settlers. These rules caused serious financial misery in the colonies and establish displeasure toward the British authority. Two acts created during this era can be seen as the prelude to the inexorable uprising that would come
…show more content…
He was trying to carry out what his antecedents had been doing for many centuries – give the control to tell an elected congregation of people to do a more representative form of supremacy. In reality, Patrick Henry was an inimitable speaker that had even the doubters and ones who differ, recognize with him in the edge about going to combat with Britain. His emphasis in his argument was what brought those disbelievers to his side. By him adding the Lord into his speech, this, of course, guided the ones who dissented to his side, as these settlements were quite spiritual at the time. When he said the eternal phrase: “Give me Liberty or Give me Death,” he had each one ready to battle for their territory, their property, their harvest, and of course, their …show more content…
However, I still believe that the Stamp Act put a direct tax on not stamps but almost all paper goods in the colonies. There were not by chance plenty British troops to prosecute the act, colonists were cut off British exports with bad effects on British business. Today, the Stamp Act had been the key link in the succession of occurrences that led to the free US. I don’t find any such unsettled soul to control us if it should, the means are in our Hands to keep from happening any commotions or shame; what the result may be in the Colonies who have no army power to hold the mass in form, I cannot assume to
Click here to unlock this and over one million essays
Show MoreFinancial stability of the colonial people was often thought to be put at stake with the introduction of new taxes and regulations which caused much frustration. Before Parliament had laid out any questionable taxes (i.e. stamp act), the citizens appeared perfectly content with Parliament 's power (Doc C). The stamp act required that every document, used by the colonists be stamped and taxed. One can see why this would anger people (as paper was the “big thing” before modern technology). Chaos ensued, the colonists were not fond of tax collectors whatsoever.
Many colonists were not pleased with the Stamp act. “As to the Stamp Act, tho we purpose doing our endeavor to get it repeal’d. [Document G, Franklin in letter to Hughes]” The Townshend Acts of 1767 were a series of laws which set new import taxes on British goods and used revenues to maintain British troops in America; and to pay the salaries of some Royal officials who were appointed to work in the American colonies. The colonists were not happy with any one of these acts that were inflicted on
Some of the taxes that were implemented onto the Americans were the Sugar and Stamp act, Navigation act, Wool act, Hat act, the Proclamation of 1763, the Quartering Act, Townshend Acts, and the Coercive Intolerable Acts, (Document Five). Each one of these added more stress on the colonist persuading their final decision of starting a revolution. Not only did the taxes install hatred into the colonist but also events and actions that the British did harmed their cause. Those events included; the boston massacre, the French Indian war, Boston Tea Party, and many more, (Document four) As seen the British lead themselves onto the wrong path by trying to tighten their grip on the colonist but ended up hurting themselves when their actions added more fuel to the Americans fire.
Some of the things that happened soon after they passed the Stamp Act was colonial resistance. Colonists did not want to be taxed on a war they didn 't even fight in or have a say in. The war was France and Britain fighting over who got control over North America. All the colonists were doing was living there and the war did not involve them. Also, violators of the Stamp Act could be tried and convicted without juries in the vice-admiralty courts.
Arguably, these taxes were only placed by Britain to “milk” the colonies for profit. Ben Franklin responded to the Stamp Act, writing a letter to John Hughs to discuss efforts to get it repealed (Document G). . In a way, the series of taxes applied by Parliament would spark a fire within the colonists and begin the American Revolution, where Americans finally say enough is enough. The time had come for political and ideological change, where the colonies would break from their motherland, Great Britain. In conclusion, the French Indian War would kick off a series of political, economic, and ideological events that changed the relationship between Britain and its colonies forever.
March of 1775 was a day of persuasion for steps towards freedom. A former governor of Virginia, Patrick Henry wrote the speech “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” in response to British conflict and wanting to peacefully approach it with a reasonable effort. The British were enforcing more soldiers into the colonies and the Americans wanted their liberty. Henry advocated for the colonist to fight if their circumstances were not met with the British. Being a former governor, Henry had the knowledge of how the government system worked and was a figure who was looked up to in the state of Virginia.
“ Give me liberty or give me death”,( Patrick Henry). The most well known speech given by the prestigious Patrick Henry on March 23, 1775 expressing his thoughts and feelings about fighting back against Britain and protecting their beloved country. At this time the British was defeating America terribly which had made Patrick Henry feel as though his freedom was being jeopardized. Patrick Henry’s speech was an attempt to persuade the american citizens not to just sit and do nothing, he wanted to fight back against Britain. Patrick Henry felt as though many of the citizens were not aware of the seriousness of what was happening and that the needed to have a wake up call.
During this time, religion was very important so it was very crucial for Patrick Henry to mention this in his speech, because it was a main appeal everyone had in common. Finally, Patrick Henry uses the rhetorical appeal of logos, logic appeal. Mr. Henry uses logos when he says, “...what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?”. This is a logical analysis, because he points out that there is no other reason for the warlike products, but for the Americans. Another logical point Mr. Henry makes is when he says “...we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on...petitioned...remonstrated...supplicated...and implored its interposition...
Patrick Henry’s beliefs mostly influence his next purpose of independence. He wants to spread the idea of being independent and out of the control of the British. At the beginning
Lawyer and politician, Patrick Henry in his speech, “Give me Liberty Or Give Me Death” (March 23, 1775), explains that he give this plea to urge the old dominion to form militias to defend itself against British. He supports his claim by first using a religious reference to express the themes of freedom, equality, and independence. Then uses a selection of other strategies like rhetorical question and allusion to disprove the opposing arguments and clarify the point he is making. Patrick Henry purpose is to fight back and he wants other to fight with him in order for independence. He creates a powerful and commanding tone for the second Virginia convention.
Patrick Henry’s claim in his speech to the Virginia Convention is war with England is the only way to win freedom and their desires because England makes this the only choice. Before Patrick went up there were other men that had spoken before him, these men were speaking their views on whether or not they should initialize the war. Once Patrick has his chance to say his part he believes that they should fight because England hasn’t been fair. Patrick states this basically by saying “An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us”. This is such a powerful statement because what he’s proposing is extremely dangerous.
The speech’s main purpose is to persuade people to fight for their freedom. Patrick Henry’s speech is truly meant to persuade the Virginia Convention to prepare for war if the British government fails to comply to the needs of the convention. He uses an urgent and inspirational tone to deliver a thought provoking speech. This is essential to getting his point across, and that the need for assertiveness is significant. The convention was practically split in half, some wanting peace no matter what, and others who wanted immediate action toward the Britains.
The Flamboyant Trumpet “Give me liberty, or give me death.” Patrick Henry, born on May 29th, 1736 in Studley, Virginia, had one of the most memorable speeches of his time. Henry played a major role in the American Revolution. Henry taught by his father and uncle, only received minimal education. He married his first wife, Sarah Shelton in 1754 and together they had six children.
He was asking for help to revolt against England. At the time, he sought for freedom of the state. Patrick Henry was trying to convince Virginia that the what they have done to achieve peace had not been working and will not work, or will never work. So, he stokes a stand and was ready to fight against it. This speech is important for our next future generations because it shows them that if they want something done that they have to fight for it, and it also shows them not to give up on what they believe in because they can make a change just like the historical figures I just talked about.
Henry’s Method for Achieving His Purpose In the speech Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death, Patrick Henry uses allusion, symbolism, juxtaposition, and rhetorical questions to achieve his purpose. Henry’s purpose is to convince the Loyalists of his cause, which this speech does effectively. Because he used strong rhetorical devices, his language really clarified his points in why the Loyalists should commit treason and join the war, effectively convincing them to join the revolution.