The origin of "Give me liberty, or give me death!" is Patrick Henry's speech to the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775.

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The origin of "Give me liberty, or give me death!" is Patrick Henry's speech to the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775. In his famous and emotionally charged address at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia, Henry argued that the colonists had exhausted all peaceful options with the British government and must prepare for armed conflict to secure their freedom from British tyranny. The speech, later published posthumously by William Wirt in 1817, is credited with influencing the convention to approve the raising of Virginian troops for the Revolutionary War, though its exact wording beyond the final line is not fully historically documented.  

Context of the Speech

• Escalating Tensions:

  The speech was delivered during a time of intense friction between the American colonies and Great Britain, with growing fears of British oppression and potential war. 

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Historical Significance

• Ignited Revolution:

  The speech is considered a pivotal moment that helped ignite the fervor for the American Revolution, leading to the organization of military forces against the British Crown. 

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• Give me liberty or give me death! - Wikipedia

  "Give me liberty or give me death!" is a quotation attributed to American politician and orator Patrick Henry from a speech he mad...

  

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Give me liberty or give me death!

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Give_me_liberty_or_g...

"Give me liberty or give me death!" is a quotation attributed to American politician and orator Patrick Henry from a speech he made to the Second Virginia ...

Background and speech

Precursors

Additional usage and other...

References

Call to Action:

Henry's primary purpose was to persuade the delegates, including future presidents Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, that the time for diplomacy was over. He advocated for Virginia to begin raising a militia to defend the colonies against British rule. 

Lasting Impact:

The phrase has become a powerful symbol of the pursuit of freedom and has continued to resonate throughout American history. 

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