Making of America Speeches

Speeches of America's Founding

History Place Timeline
Explorations and Early Colonial Era
Beginnings to 1700

The English Colonial Era
1700 to 1763

Prelude to the American Revolution
1763 to 1775

The American War for Independence
1775 to 1776 Conflict and Revolution

The Declaration of Independence

1777 to 1783 An Unlikely Victory

A New Nation is Born
1784 to 1790
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John Winthrop

1588 -- 1689

The City Upon A Hill, excerpted with commentary. 1630.

About "The City on a Hill" sermon.

Full Text of City on a Hill sermon
Model of Christian Charity

Summary of "Model of Christian Charity" by Andrew Wood.

Mini-Lecture on Winthrop by Lance Eaton. 11 minutes

See Ronald Reagan's Farewell Address. Reagan refers to Winthrop's "City Upon a Hill" speech. Final 6 minutes.

George Washington
1732 - 1799
George Washington takes the Oath of Office Inauguration, film dramatization 3:30 minutes

First Annual Message to Congress. 8 January 1790. Text

Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789 by George Washington, audio book reading 4 minutes

Thanksgiving Day Proclamation. Text of 3 October 1789

Speech to his troops at Newberg. Film Dramatization 2 minutes

Talk to Cherokee Nation. 29 August 1796.

George Washington Farewell Address. 17 September 1796.

George Washington's Troubles with Slavery:  9 July 1799.
Virginia law prevented anyone from easily freeing slaves.

The Indispensable American: George Washington. 4.55 minutes.

Patrick Henry
1736 - 1799

Biography of Henry's life, 45 minute documentary

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death, 23 March 1775

Give me Liberty or give me Death, dramatization by David Baldwin. 4:30 minutes

Watch Johnny Tremain, full movie, 1957, Walt Disney Productions, based on the 1944 Newbery Medal-winning children's novel. 1 hour 20 Minutes

Son's of Liberty song after the Boston Tea Party from Film Johnny Tremain. 2.30 minutes. 

THE LIBERTY TREE

Plant the seed in our homeland, boys.

Let it grow where all can see.
Feed it with our devotion, boys.
Call it the Liberty Tree. 

CHORUS: It's a tall old tree and a strong old tree,
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons, the Sons of Liberty.
Save it from the storm, boys.
Water down its roots with tea;
And the sun will always shine
On the old Liberty Tree. 

CHORUS 

March along with the piper, boys.
We were born forever free.
We will pay the piper, boys,
Beneath the Liberty Tree. 

CHORUS 

Pay the price they're asking, boys,
Always pay the tyrant's fee.
Never give up the struggle, boys,
Fight for the Liberty Tree. 

CHORUS 

Stand for the rights of man, boys.
Stand against all tyranny.
Hang the of light of freedom, boys,
High on the Liberty Tree. 

CHORUS 

It will grow as we grow, boys.
It will be as strong as we.
We must cling to our faith, boys,
Faith in the Liberty Tree. 

CHORUS
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Analysis of Central Figure in Making of America
The Story of Patrick Henry 
Scene: When and Where
Actor: What was Henry's biography and character?
Purpose: What did Henry want when faced with war?
Obstacles: What kept Henry from his purpose?
Action: What did Henry do? What did he say in his famous speech?
Result: How did it turn out? What universal truth for humanity does Henry give us?

Speeches of War main menu

Ancient Greek and Roman War Speeches
War Speeches in Literature and film
Making of American Speeches
Civil War Speeches
World War Two Speeches
Civil War continued: Speeches of Civil Rights Movement
Cold War Against Communism Speeches
War on Terror Speeches
War speeches of Barack Obama