Why Was Patrick Henry’s Speech Important?

Patrick Henry’s famous “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech was the beginning of the Bill of Right’s 2nd Amendment “Right to Bear Arms.” Patrick Henry fought against Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor of Virginia, when Dunmore ordered all the gunpowder taken away from local patriot forces.

Patrick Henry gave his speech in March of 1775 at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia. Afterward, Henry and his militia troops forced Lord Dunmore and the British government to return the seized gunpowder to the citizens of Virginia. These actions were the beginning of the citizen’s defense against despotism and government tyranny.