CHAPTER
7
How to Read History
History Reading Skill Analyze Propositions and Support
What arguments had been used to support the
American Revolution?
In this chapter, you will learn how to analyze
propositions—arguments—and the evidence used to
support them.
Primary
Source
Here, Henry
states the problem that war is
unavoidable and
proposes that
the colonies
must prepare
for it.
A leader in the American Revolution, Patrick Henry, argued on the
eve of that conflict that England was readying itself for war despite
colonial efforts to resolve the problems through diplomacy.
Ask yourselves . . . [about] . . . these warlike preparations
which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and
armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have
we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force
must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive
ourselves, sir. These are implements of war and subjugation;
the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir,
what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to be to
force us into submission? Can gentlemen assign any other
possible motives for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this
quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies
and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they
can be meant for no other. . . .
. . . Beside, sir, we have no election [choice]. If we were base
enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the
contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery!
Our chains are forged! . . . The war is inevitable—and let it
come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!
— Patrick Henry, speech to the Second Virginia Convention,
March 23, 1775
These questions
support Henry’s
argument.
Henry sees that
England is massing troops in the
colonies and proposes that England
is preparing to
fight its colonies.
These are the
supporting reasons
for Henry’s views.
Analyze Propositions and Support
Document-Based Questions
• Ask yourself what problems Patrick Henry
identifies and what he proposes in response
to those problems.
• Evaluate Henry’s propositions and support.
Does he support his propositions convincingly? Do you agree with them?
1. When was this speech given?
2. What events were taking place in
Massachusetts around this time?
3. What action do you think Henry wants the
Virginia Convention to take?
203 Chapter 7