Topic > A Speech to Parliament by Patrick Henry: A Closer Look

In March 1775, Patrick Henry's speech on Parliament's treatment of the American colonists due to harsh British taxation and acts that clearly supported the mother country rather than supporting America. The acts imposed by the British Parliament on the Americans made Americans look at themselves differently, which ultimately led them to believe that the colonists were not British, they were Americans. They realized that they needed to gain freedom; they couldn't wait any longer. “War is inevitable – and let it come! I repeat, sir, let it come.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayParliament claims to have done what was financially necessary to benefit the mother country and appease the colonies. All that Parliament did was benefit its own country; they didn't think twice about favoring the colonists. After all, the people who immigrated to America early basically gave their lives for what the country became. In the eyes of Parliament, why support it? In their eyes it was just money. Taxation of every little thing became almost a norm in the eyes of the colonists. They knew what needed to be done. The fact that the colonists are unpatriotic and unappreciative citizens is a complete slander of what the colonies were meant to be. Parliament didn't even consider them British, at least until the colonists decided they needed to be represented in court, and then declared them British. Under normal circumstances, the colonists were not considered British. Instead, they were seen as poor, low-level scum, who were unable to make it in Britain and had to leave to make money because they were unable to make money there. “They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an opponent,” Henry goes on to even say that the English say the colonists were weak. The colonists made themselves look weak just so they wouldn't be punished. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The colonists had to go to war against the English. “…We have implored his interposition to stay the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament,” Henry states that British tyranny is no longer in play; that the settlers will no longer tolerate mistreatment. “Why do we sit here idle,” why should the settlers sit there and wait? Henry states that they are ready to go to war, that war is inevitable, and that in the end it is freedom or death. “…give me freedom or give me death!”