Patrick Henry: Forgotten Founder

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Patrick Henry: Forgotten Founder

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About this course: “Give me liberty, or give me death:” Remembering Patrick Henry, the Forgotten Founder Patrick Henry was enormously popular during the American Revolution. Even Thomas Jefferson, who over time developed a deep loathing of Henry (some would say jealousy), had to admit that “it is not now easy to say what we should have done without Patrick Henry.” Edmund Randolph, a patriot leader in his own right, explained that “It was Patrick Henry … awakening the genius of his country, and binding a band of patriots together to hurl defiance at the tyranny of so formidable a nation as Great Britain.” Yet, today, Patrick Henry is ill-remembered; most Americans might recall at best pe…

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When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan

  • Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
  • Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: “Give me liberty, or give me death:” Remembering Patrick Henry, the Forgotten Founder Patrick Henry was enormously popular during the American Revolution. Even Thomas Jefferson, who over time developed a deep loathing of Henry (some would say jealousy), had to admit that “it is not now easy to say what we should have done without Patrick Henry.” Edmund Randolph, a patriot leader in his own right, explained that “It was Patrick Henry … awakening the genius of his country, and binding a band of patriots together to hurl defiance at the tyranny of so formidable a nation as Great Britain.” Yet, today, Patrick Henry is ill-remembered; most Americans might recall at best perhaps a snippet from a famous speech: “give me liberty, or give me death.” The reasons for our historic forgetfulness are several: after the Revolution, Henry chose to oppose ratification of the U.S. Constitution, believing that it created a distant and too-powerful government, and he refused proffered position in George Washington’s administration, diminishing his historic memory. Equally important, Henry died in 1799 shortly after a political campaign in which, at Washington’s behest, he opposed Jefferson’s and James Madison’s ill-advised radical states’ rights attack on the U.S. government, and Jefferson spent the next twenty-six years systematically attacking Henry’s legacy. Patrick Henry, who helped to ignite a revolution, deserves better. This course will explore how he over¬came challenges to reach the pinnacle of Virginia politics and unite Americans behind a challenge to Britain – the eighteenth century’s super-power, why he opposed the U.S. Constitu¬tion, and why he then came out of retirement to defend the people’s Constitution against the attacks of Jefferson and Madison. Participants should evaluate Henry’s role in proclaiming a revolution and consider whether he had an equally important role in saving it. The course should also develop an improved appreciation for the complex political, economic, and religious forces that shaped the early republic. As a biographical course, it also demonstrates how personalities play an important role in even the most foundational national history. Image Attribution: The background image for this webpage is Patrick Henry before the Virginia House of Burgesses by Peter F. Rothermel (1851) with special thanks to the owner, the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation. The painting of Patrick Henry's 1765 "Caesar had his Brutus" speech (discussed in the second lecture) is entirely romanticized -- neither Henry nor the House of Burgesses looked at all like this -- but it does show that hagiography of Henry, almost god-like veneration, began shortly after this death.

Created by:  University of Virginia, UVA Lifetime Learning, Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation
  • Taught by:  John Ragosta, Fellow

    Virginia Foundation for the Humanities
Level Beginner Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.8 stars Average User Rating 4.8See what learners said Coursework

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University of Virginia A premier institution of higher education, The University of Virginia offers outstanding academics, world-class faculty, and an inspiring, supportive environment. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University is guided by his vision of discovery, innovation, and development of the full potential of students from all walks of life. Through these courses, global learners have an opportunity to study with renowned scholars and thought leaders. UVA Lifetime Learning, Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Course Introduction



1 video, 2 readings expand


  1. Video: Course Introduction
  2. Discussion Prompt: Understanding and Expectations
  3. Reading: Links to Patrick Henry Resources
  4. Discussion Prompt: Patrick Henry's Descendants
  5. Reading: Patrick Henry's Family Tree


WEEK 2


Patrick Henry: Failure and Success



7 videos expand


  1. Video: Patrick Henry: Failure and Success
  2. Video: Patrick Henry's Education
  3. Video: The Problem of Slavery
  4. Video: Virginia's Newest Lawyer
  5. Video: The Parson's Cause: Background
  6. Video: The Parson's Cause: "Treason!"
  7. Video: Conclusion: Patrick Henry Failures and Successes

Graded: Henry's early life

WEEK 3


Revolutionary Henry



8 videos expand


  1. Video: Revolutionary Henry
  2. Video: The Stamp Act Resolves: "Treason!"
  3. Video: Successful Lawyer
  4. Video: The Coming of the Revolution
  5. Video: "Give me liberty, or give me death"
  6. Video: Colonel Henry, Governor Henry
  7. Video: Governor Jefferson Flees
  8. Video: Conclusion: Thomas Jefferson versus Patrick Henry
  9. Discussion Prompt: Thomas Jefferson v. Patrick Henry

Graded: Revolutionary Henry

WEEK 4


Constitutional Henry



11 videos expand


  1. Video: Constitutional Henry
  2. Video: Post-war Legislator and the Failed Religious Assessment
  3. Video: Governor Henry, Again
  4. Video: The "Critical Period"
  5. Video: Patrick Henry and the Constitutional Convention
  6. Video: Challenges to the Proposed Constitution
  7. Video: Patrick Henry, Anti-Federalist
  8. Video: The Anti-Federalists Challenge the Constitution
  9. Video: The Anti-Federalists' Influence
  10. Video: Loyal Opposition
  11. Video: Conclusion: Constitutional Henry
  12. Discussion Prompt: Anti-federalists' Concerns

Graded: Constitutional Henry

WEEK 5


Patrick Henry Legacy



12 videos expand


  1. Video: Patrick Henry Legacy
  2. Video: Retirement: Children, Education, and Land
  3. Video: Religion in Retirement (and the French Revolution)
  4. Video: Virginia's Leading Lawyer
  5. Video: Offers of Political Office
  6. Video: The Politics of the 1790s: France and England
  7. Video: The Alien & Sedition Acts; the Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions
  8. Video: Patrick Henry, Federalist
  9. Video: Henry's Last Speech
  10. Video: Patrick Henry's Death
  11. Video: Historic Memory
  12. Video: Historic Legacy
  13. Discussion Prompt: Patrick Henry's Legacy
  14. Discussion Prompt: Thomas Jefferson v. Patrick Henry, 2

Graded: Patrick Henry Legacy
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