“Speech in the Virginia Convention” Class #13 “Speech in the Virginia Convention”

Jarren Ford - Friday, September 18 (Per 4) Happy Birthday! Jarren Ford - Friday, September 18 (Per 4)

Turn in Vocab Cards #25-30 Get out Workbook page 40 In your Literary Glossary - write the definition for allusion on page 98

Revolutionary period literature public writing political writing by the time the Revolutionary War started, there were nearly 50 newspapers in print in the coastal cities alone at the time of Washington’s inauguration, there were nearly 40 magazines almanacs popular topic: relations with Great Britain and nature of government

Root of revolution: The Enlightenment reason over faith idea of a social contract and the perfect society evidence of this in “Declaration of Independence”

Historical Background fourth and fifth generations of Americans in the colonies the colonies had largely self-governed colonies found the status quo tolerable until the mid-1760s to mid-1770s King George III and Parliament imposed unpopular regulations had to pay for expensive Seven Years War (French and Indian War) logic was that colonies should pay taxes to get that money back since they got the land won in the war Stamp Act (1765) - tax for stamp on paper items Townshend Acts (1767) - taxed variety of items (paper, paint, glass, etc.) Boston Massacre resulted during a protest Tea Act (1773) - created tea monopoly for East India Company lead to the Boston Tea Party resulted in Parliament passing Coercive Acts as punishment nicknamed the “Intolerable Acts”

Patrick Henry considered to be the most powerful orator of the American Revolution inspired the colonists to unite in the fight for independence from England 1765 - elected to Virginia House of Burgesses - the first legislative assembly of elected representatives in North America 1775 - delivered “Speech in the Virginia Convention” most famous speech boldly urged armed resistance against England speech had a powerful impact - fed revolutionary spirit leading into war Later years: served as governor of Virginia and member of Virginia General Assembly