John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address in 1961 is held in high regard by many and widely recognized as one of the most influential inaugural addresses given by a president. With the use of iconic phrases like “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country”, Kennedy attempts to gain support for his ideology and plans by captivating the hearts of many and instilling hope during a time of need and despair, following the events of The Great Depression and WWII and the rise of the Cold War. Kennedy not only addresses American citizens, but the citizens of the world in an effort to promote freedom and equality. The defending freedom during the Cold War was one of Kennedy’s primary objectives throughout the speech. Although …show more content…
He encourages both sides to explore what problems unite them, rather than dwell on problems that divide them. Furthermore, he suggests that both sides should use science for its wonders rather than its terrors, and together use it to “explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce." We see the words freedom and liberty come up multiple times in the speech, reiterating the importance of defending and securing freedom. Passages like “We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an end as well as a beginning—signifying renewal as well as change”, emphasize the importance of freedom and set the tone and one of the main objectives of his speech, defending freedom at all costs. Other important parts of the speech are the passages near the end of the speech where he leaves it in the hands of his fellow citizens on what course America takes in the “struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself”, and how it is as much their responsibility as it is
memorable was when he lifted the spirits of millions of Americans with his Inaugural Address on January 20th, 1961. In order to fully understand why his speech is one of the best American speeches one must first know the reason behind his speech, secondly, the significance of his speech to the people of the US, and lastly how his speech impacted the people of the US. There are plenty of reasons why JFK gave his inaugural address. One of the most obvious was the tradition of every president to give a
The first presidential inaugural address was given by George Washington on April 13, 1789, when he read a speech to the members of Congress. Since then, every president has delivered a speech on Inauguration Day. Many of the earlier presidents read their addresses before taking the oath of office; nowadays, it is customary for presidents to take the oath of office prior to their inaugural address. Most presidents use this opportunity to present the goals they have for America, explaining what they
The speech I have selected is John F Kennedy Inaugural Address. This speech by Kennedy show his intention for his presidency. President Kennedy is most famous for not being afraid to fight against the Soviet Union, and to stand as a figure of strength and for the future of the United States. John F Kennedy is a great speaker because of his effectiveness and passion he gives for every speech he has ever done. The place where President Kennedy speech took place, was in Washington D.C. More specifically
Tinberg 4th February 21st 2024 JFK Presidential Inaugural Address Analysis Imagine being one of the thousands of American citizens living in Washington D.C., witnessing JFK being sworn into office in person. Or being one of the millions of citizens watching it from their homes. Right now is a time of darkness and despair, we’re in the midst of the Cold War, and this is the man who represents our country. Now it’s time for him to make his Presidential Inaugural Address speech. This single speech will
Tinberg 4th February 21st 2024 JFK Presidential Inaugural Address Analysis Imagine being one of the thousands of American citizens living in Washington D.C., witnessing JFK being sworn into office in person. Or being one of the millions of citizens watching it from their homes. Right now is a time of darkness and despair, we’re in the midst of the Cold War, and this is the man who represents our country. Now it’s time for him to make his Presidential Inaugural Address speech. This single speech will
Inaugural speeches are intended to reach into the minds of people and connect with their morality. United States’ presidents are symbolic leaders of a nation, and they must use rhetoric to express their ideas to the public. Elected at a critical time in United States’ history, John F. Kennedy’s (JFK) first inaugural speech was a call for action against “… the common enemies of man: tyranny… poverty… disease… and war itself” (Kennedy). He aspired for the American people to become united against
Kennedy delivered his inaugural address to millions of hopeful Americans. In the midst of the Cold War and Civil Rights Movement, recently elected JFK is present with the task of handling a disgruntled and divided America. His speech is marked with a commanding tone that uses rhetorical devices to emphasize his ideals for the country. In his inaugural address, John F. Kennedy uses a variety of rhetorical devices to establish credibility, calls people to action, and unify America. JFK establishes his credibility
since GeorgeWashington has given an inaugural address. They all attempt to unify the audience of America whilst laying out plans for their following years in office. Many have taken their own spins on the idea of the address and taken different routes to give the address. John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s address took place on a 20 degree day in Washington D.C. Removing his overcoat, the President Elect expressed a vibe of youth and new life to the presidency. JFK’s address employed strategies varying from
During John F. Kennedy 's Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961, that’s when he said to Americans “To do not ask what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country” (US Historical documents). I personally support this quote and understand the full sense behind it, I don’t take it greatly on country level, but on how I live with my family and friends in my daily life. This is the saying that carries a lot of meaning not only for Americans John F. Kennedy was addressing to this speech
On a bitter cold, snow-laden, 1961 January morning, twenty thousand people waited in front of Capital Hill to listen to John F Kennedy’s (JFK) inaugural address. Besides that, his audience included eighty million Americans viewing it on televisions, and about three billion listening over the radio. JFK was elected during a time period in which the United States seemed to be at its peak. The mood from the 1950’s was that of an affluent society, a capitalistic golden age where there was a classless
President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address President John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural address to the American public on January 20, 1961. President Kennedy’s inaugural speech is designed to deliver a message of hope and perseverance against foreign threats, specifically the communist Soviet Union, against whom the United States was involved in the Cold War. In his speech, President Kennedy takes the global stage, capitalizing on the emergence of mass media and the ability to reach people on
the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, stated his inaugural address, which was said to be one of the most defining moments in American history. At the young political age of 43, Kennedy became the youngest US president ever,bringing with him a legendary legacy of elite political education, a renowned war-time hero in the navy, and being a member one the most notorious elitist families in the world.His address was not just gratitude toward the people electing him, but it was instead
The thirty-fifth President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, in his Inaugural Address, optimizes being inducted into office in order to tell the people of the United States to enact on reuniting the nations together as one. Kennedy appeals to ethics and morals of the audience and himself by implying that change will not happen soon, but if our nation stays tenacious we could see a world at peace. The 1960’s was an inefficacious time with the Cold War at its height, fear of nuclear warfare, and the coercing
citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man" (Kennedy 3). On January 20, 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy presented his inaugural address shortly after taking the oath of office, becoming the thirty-fifth President of the United States. In this historic address, President Kennedy astonishes the audience through his captivating use of rhetoric that he utilized in order to convey a sense of unity, as well as to recap the events that had occurred
John F. Kennedy was the newly elected president of the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was the youngest president ever voted into office in American History, making him seem vulnerable to opposing political leaders such as Soviet Union's Premier, Nikita Khrushchev. Kennedy had only been in office for a short time before signing the authorization of the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961. Kennedy was a part of a capitalist country, and he, like most capitalists, feared the effects of communism