Patrick Henry
By Taylor, Erica, Hena, Jean
Family History
father, John Henry, who was a was a successful planter, was the
source of his education, and he studied law on his own. One of his
early jobs was working in a tavern, for his home was destroyed
Public loyalties
"Give me liberty or give me death." Patrick Henry was an ardent advocate of the American Revolution and its fight for independence. Henry was against the U.S Constitution because he feared that it endangered the rights of states as well as the freedom of individuals. "What right had they [the group that wrote the Constitution] to say 'We the people,' instead We, the States?" he demanded. Henry was believed that all states, North of South, should get equal say in what happens in the government.
He was regarded as one of the most influential champions of Republicanism and led the opposition to the Stamp Act of 1765 . He was also known as the leader of anti-federalists in Virginia because he feared that the central government would become too powerful, but by 1798, he supported President John Adams and Federalists.
Contribution to history
The Virginia Resolves were a number of Resolves that were passed by Virginia House of Burgesses as a response to the Stamp Act that the British used to pay back debt from previous wars. The Resolves were made to where Virginia was subject to taxation only by a parliamentary assembly. Henry was also elected into the first Continental Congress in 1774. He is most famous for is his "Give me liberty or give me death!" Speech that he gave to the house of burgesses. The speech was made to convince the house to mobilize military action against the British. In 1765 the first Stamp Act Congress took place in New York City. The Congress was able to convince the British to repeal the Stamp Act. In effect of the Stamp Act being repealed the colonists believed that they could then stand up to the Britsh. Within a few monthes the British created the Declaratory Act.
Integrity
Integrity is the adherence to moral and ethical principles.
Patrick Henry knew the British was unfair towards the colonies, which contributed to his willingness in his speeches. Their unjustness fueled Patrick Henry’s fight against the British. He spoke out because he knew what was morally right. After Virginia staying quiet about the Stamp Act, Patrick Henry finally spoke out on his refusal of taxes.
After independence, Patrick Henry was offered multiple political positions, but he had turned them all down because he preferred to spend time with his wife. This shows he stuck to his family values, even though he loved his state.
Citizenship
Citizenship is the quality of an individual’s response to membership in a community.
Patrick Henry was the much needed encouragement in the Colony of Virginia. He contributed by making powerful speeches which inspired the representatives of Virginia to stand up against the British and lead the way to independence.
Patrick Henry showed great alacrity when trying to protect his country. The reason why he was opposed to the U.S Constitution was because he believed that it didn’t protect the basic freedom of the people. He thought it was a huge mistake that the Constitution took away the power from the States, ignored the South, and didn’t protect the people it represented. As a citizen of the U.S, Henry knew that he had to protect the South and the people of America. Because he held onto this belief, people were able to get their freedom back. This example shows that Henry truly cared for his country and did whatever it took to protect it.