Viva la Revolucion!

1. Viva la Revolucion! Mr. Feraco Period 4 30 October 2007

2. What Was the Revolutionary War? • If you don’t know by now, some history teachers are going to be fired! • The defining moment in the rise of America as a nation • Conflict with England that dawned soon after the publication of the Declaration of Independence • America eventually won, paving the path for sovereignty

3. Why Did We Fight? • Same reason we always do, Pinky • Actually, we felt oppressed • Not only were conditions harsh in the new land, but we felt simultaneously unsupported and held down – kind of like a teenager itching to leave the rule of its parents

4. Economics • Some of our issues with England were cultural • After all, a significant portion of the population was either composed of or descended from those Puritans we learned so much about • However, most of our problems stemmed from what we viewed as economic tyranny

5. No Taxation Without Representation! • Britain kept passing legislation that the colonists felt was injurious, or at the very least unfair • Trade was often accompanied by heavy levies and taxes • We had no legislative voice to protest • These tensions culminated in the incident we now call the Boston Tea Party (1773) • It wasn’t as fun and gentle as it sounds, so don’t be sad that you weren’t invited

6. Action/Reaction • In response, the British closed down Boston’s port • They also passed even more legislation, which only strengthened sentiment against them • Important to remember that Britain definitely still had loyalists within the country, and even supporters (Tories) • Revolution was not easily reached

7. Armies Marching • The First Continental Congress protested the passage of the “Intolerable Acts,” a series of economic levies passed in the wake of the Tea Party • Britain agreed to lessen taxation in exchange for a number of concessions – including offering support to an increasing number of British soldiers in the colonies

8. Patrick Henry • Born in 1736, Henry was a young legislator on the rise at the time of the Tea Party • He actually got started early, launching a fantastically angry speech against the Stamp Act in 1765 • However, it’s his 1775 speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses that really captures our attention • Oddly enough, it was never written down; the “speech” we read was pieced together by his biographer in the years that followed

9. Henry’s Speech • Rhetorical devices and persuasive speech abound! • One of the reasons the speech is so effective is that it appeals to both our reason and our emotion • What do we call those appeals? • Also great usage of deductive and inductive reasoning

10. The Structure • Begins with an acknowledgement of his opponents • Basically puts on a clinic of rhetorical excellence from there on out, all the way to one of the finest conclusions in American history • Short, but sweet

11. While Reading Tonight • Make careful note of the ways in which Henry uses his language, as well as the specific language that he uses • Run a rhetorical device check on it – see how many you’ll find! • Remember not to lose the message, however!