Essay On Patrick Henry

John Adams once stated, “What do we mean by Revolution? The war? That was no part of the revolution; it was the only effect and consequence of it. The revolution was in the minds of the people.” On April 19, 1775, the fight for American independence began. Revolutionists like Patrick Henry began to persuade the public to join their fight against the King. Since the French and Indian War had begun there was ongoing tension between the colonies and the mother country. When the King started placing taxes and sending soldiers to the colonies; it made one-third of the colonists mad. Therefore, when, “ between one-third and one-fifth of Americans chose to remain loyal, dismissing their rebellious countrymen as traitors who failed to appreciate the
He was upset with the King for making them believe either they had the choice to fight for freedom or continue being slaves to England. “I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery.” (“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”) Also, he mentions that the loyalists are being, “betrayed with a kiss,” since they are choosing to side with the King when he only wants to use them for his own benefit. He also brings up how the King has ignored their petitions, and for the last ten years they have been trying to be apart of the British
The loyalists knew that the King of England did not have all the control on the decision the mother country made. “In reality the situation was more complex: Parliamentary ministers, not the crown, were responsible for colonial policies, though George still had means of direct and indirect influence.” (“George III”) Additionally, the British Parliament stood by the loyalists while the revolutionists acted out and mistreated them. For example, “The Loyalists received awards amounting to 3,292,000 pounds sterling from the British government but none from the states themselves who refused to "make good" on their