Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such
a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send
against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides
over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The
battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we
have no election. 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!
PART A: According to Henry in the previous paragraph, what are the "means" the
colonies have to defeat the British?
The colonies have resources and knowledge of the land on their side.
Henry believes they have the sense of justice and reason on their side.
Henry believes they have God and faith on their side to assist them, implying
that he thinks the British do not.
The colonies have the people willing to fight, as well as allies, and a just cause on
their side.

The temperance movement, discouraging the use of alcoholic beverages, had been active and influential in the united states since at least the 1830s. since the use of alcohol was often associated with such social ills as poverty and insanity, temperance often went hand in hand with other reform movements. from the 1850s onward, the temperance movement focused much of its efforts on irish and german immigrants.temperance advocates did not always emphasize prohibiting the consumption of alcohol. but by the late 19th century, they did. the prohibition movement achieved initial successes at the local and state levels. it was most successful in rural southern and western states, and less successful in more urban states. by the early 20th century, prohibition was a national movement.prohibition exhibited many of the characteristics of most progressive reforms. that is, it was concerned with the moral fabric of society; it was supported primarily by the middle classes; and it was aimed at controlling the "interests" (liquor distillers) and their connections with venal and corrupt politicians in city, state, and national governments. still, it was not until u.s. entry into the great war that prohibitionists were able to secure enactment of national legislation. in 1918, congress passed the 18th amendment to the constitition, prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. states ratified the amendment the next year.herbert hoover called prohibition a "noble experiment," but the effort to regulate people's behavior soon ran into trouble. enforcement of prohibition became very difficult. soon, such terms as "bootlegger," "bath tub gin," and "speakeasy" became household words. gangs of hoodlums became more powerful as they trafficked in alcohol. by the 1930s, a majority of americans had tired of the noble experiment, and the 18th amendment was repealed.to search for additional documents in american memory, consider using such key words as temperance, prohibition, saloon, alcohol or alcoholic beverage, and women's christian temperance union.top of page