What action does Henry want his audience to take in Speech to the Virginia Convention?

In his speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses, Patrick Henry advocates revolt against Great Britain.

Henry's argument to separate from Britain is not what many of the colonists desire, but increasing oppression in the form of taxes and British military presence points to the increasing British aggression. And, it is a reaction against this aggression that Henry desires.

• He wants the colonies to form a militia. Henry argues that the British is using force...

In his speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses, Patrick Henry advocates revolt against Great Britain.

Henry's argument to separate from Britain is not what many of the colonists desire, but increasing oppression in the form of taxes and British military presence points to the increasing British aggression. And, it is a reaction against this aggression that Henry desires.

• He wants the colonies to form a militia. Henry argues that the British is using force against them without any rational reason to do so. Because Britain has fleets and armies present in the colonies, he asks the rhetorical question, "Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?....Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world....? 


• When the colonists have petitioned against this oppression, their petitions have been "slighted" and more violence and insult has come upon them.


• All that is left to the colonists after their petitions have been met with only violence is nothing but to fight. "An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!"


• The colonists will be no stronger than they are now. For, they have "the holy cause of liberty" and they will be "invincible by any force that the enemy can send...." Thus, it is, indeed, the time to act.


• Many people cry "Peace, peace!" but there is really no peace because the "war is actually begun!" Here Henry implies that they are already oppressed at British guards stand in the doorways of shops and homes. Henry compares the threatening actions of Britain to an approaching storm and the colonists to the ancient Israelites  who were heedless about the repercussions of their idolatry. (Ezekiel told the Israelites that "the sword should be upon them, and the high places built upon them should be destroyed" because of their sinfulness, but they ignored him.)


• Henry asks his audience if they wish to purchase their so-called peace at the price of "chains and slavery."  Instead, he argues with his famous line, "...as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"