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analysis of Kennedy's inaugural address
john f. kennedy inaugural speech analysis
analysis of jfk's inaugural speech
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John F. Kennedy Speech Analysis It is 1961, the height of the Cold War. McCarthyism, or false accusations of communism, is rampant and fear is inevitable. Trust is scarce amongst individuals living in America. These individuals are in need for guidance, for a leader. John F. Kennedy was just inaugurated the 35th president of the United States. His inaugural address, his usage of allusion and anaphora successfully evoked unity that these people therefore lacked. At a time when people couldn't be further apart, Kennedy was able to successfully bring everybody together. Kennedy first establishes this unity by alluding to “our sister republics south of the border” (52), the Soviet Union, and explaining how “hope cannot become the prey of hostile
It was on January 20th 1961 that John F Kennedy gave his inaugural address after winning the presidential race and beating future president Richard Nixon. President, John F Kennedy in his speech, The Inaugural Address, he describes his plans for growth in America. Kennedy’s purpose is unite the people of the U.S. and bring everyone together for the good cause of promoting growth in the country. He creates a very inspirational tone in order to establish a connection with the U.S. people. In his speech Kennedy really used several rhetorical strategies of persuasion to motivate and persuade the U.S. people that they made the right choice in choosing him.
His speech contained persuasive appeals such as logos and pathos. Kennedy says “This peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers...our neighbors know we shall join with them to oppose aggression anywhere…let every power know this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.” This strong quote corresponds with pathos, it pertains to the emotion of hope and courage that the U.S. needs to maintain its high ranking status among other countries. This shows that he wants us to be ready for anything
In 1961, John F. Kennedy presents a very authoritative and persuasive inaugural address with a surplus of rhetoric. His speech is full of rhetoric in order to manipulate or sway his audience to his new policies. Kennedy’s objective is to unite the country and he does this through fear, duty, and pride. In order to create unity, Kennedy appeals to fear by revealing one common enemy: nuclear warfare. Nuclear warfare could mean the destruction of many countries, which Kennedy effectively presents to America and the world. Kennedy’s earnest tone push the people to invest in his purpose to provide freedom and peace around the world. He stirs at their emotions by effectively using imagery, which helps create pictures of mass destruction. In
In the opening of his speech, Kennedy expressed that his presidential victory is a “celebration of freedom” with it – “symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning – signifying renewal, as well as change.” Throughout his address, Kennedy showed emotion in several lines. In these lines, he showed emotion when asking the world to spread freedom, justice, and to get rid of all the evils in the world. Also in his address, Kennedy asks Americans to stand up to the “long twilight struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war.” As a promoter of world peace, President Kennedy clearly stated that the Soviet Union and United States were wasting time and money. Following his swearing in, he used allusion in his speech as he stated, “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.” Kennedy implies to the country`s independence as an effort to create a great reputation for himself. He does this by alluding to a large moment of when America gained independence. The quote by Kennedy, “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I welcome it”, President Kennedy was displaying his devotion to stop the war. He wishes to start a new beginning of
In the end, Kennedy urges American citizens to help out in any way they can. Even though Kennedy does use pathos and ethos more than logos, it is the combination of all three that make his argument that Americans should fight for freedom, help the poverty-stricken, and create peace with communist countries effective. Kennedy feels that the way to help free societies stay free is to help out the poor. When Kennedy is talking about helping out the poor, he states that we should do it “not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes but because it is right” (Kennedy 1).
One of the most memorable inaugural speeches in American history was delivered by President John F. Kennedy on January 20th, 1961. Throughout his speech Kennedy uses the “plain folks” technique, with the use of words like,“we”,”our”, and “us”, to convince his audience that he was simply an ordinary man of the people. More specifically he addressed the issues facing Americans regarding tensions between the United States and The Soviet Union, and his hopes of managing internationa...
John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address is a puissant speech that conveys a mighty theme. The steady use of fervent dialect stimulates in the crowd a sense of esteem and obligation, which makes the speech even more impressive. The structure of the diction enhances the ability for all people of the audience to connect. Beginning with an intimate remark and closing with a broad regard, marks the address as both authentic and propelling. Nevertheless, what is most effective is Kennedy’s skill to access the atmosphere of the crowd and examine the circumstances of the juncture that is primarily the cause for the prosperity of this distinguished
So what was going on leading up to John F. Kennedy’s famous speech? After war world II and when America used nukes, everyone in the world was trying to gain nuclear capabilities so they could become a world power. So with everyone having nukes, there was a giant fear that “Dooms Day” was coming and the Earth would be destroyed. In 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first man made satellite. This scarred Americans to death because they had no idea what they were dealing with. Is this satellite spying on them 24/7 or was it preparing to launch missiles at the USA? The fact of not knowing is what scarred the citizens of the United States. So with the 1960 election coming around and communism seeming to be getting stronger every day, America needed a strong leader.
John F. Kennedy served as the 35th president of the United States of America, until he was assassinated in November of 1963. During his term in presidency he was viewed as one of many influential leaders that have shaped America for the better. Following are three documents that use their individual style to focus on conveying the legacy of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The documents are cited from John F. Kennedy’s own inaugural speech, to an article in which friends and family of John F. Kennedy share their memories of the inauguration, and lastly a photograph of John F Kennedy being administered the Oath of Office. Each of these documents use their own style but each document share their personal strengths and weakness on delivering John F. Kennedy’s
Dallek, Robert, and Terry Golway. "The Cuban Missile Crisis." Let Every Nation Know: John F. Kennedy in His Own Words. Naperville, IL: Source MediaFusion, 2006. 184. Print.
John F. Kennedy’s ‘New Frontier’ speech was at the Democratic National Convention, trying to become the presidential nominee for the Democratic party. He accomplished this by trying to gain support from not only democrats, but also republicans. In his “New Frontier” speech he talks about and focuses on the future. He said that “...if we open a quarrel between the present and the past, we shall be in danger of losing the future. Today our concern must be with that future, for the world is changing.” (Kennedy, John F. “The New Frontier.” Democratic National Convention.)
It is 11 June, 1963, and the Alabama National Guardsmen are called to the University of Alabama to ensure the safe admission of two black students. That same afternoon, John F. Kennedy addresses the nation in an attempt to sooth flared tempers on both sides of the debate. Despite the limited time for preparation, “… it was one of his best speeches–a heartfelt appeal in behalf of a moral cause that included several memorable lines calling upon the country to honor its finest traditions” (Dallek). Indeed, part of this heartfelt spirit is likely derived from the relative spontaneity of the speech. Nevertheless, Kennedy is well-recognized as skilled in his use of language (Renehan), and purposefully employs several methods to create his appeals.
On January 20th, 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy gave a speech to the nation, which encompassed a new vision for the country with a new generation. That speech was JFK’s Inaugural Address. As the new 35th president, JFK was the youngest president to enter the oval office at the age of forty-three ("Inaugural Address."). The nation was still in in the process of healing after World War II. In the eyes of the masses, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was a breath of fresh air for the American People. He was a youthful president, with his youthful image; he was able to rally the younger generations with a progressive vision. This speech was a message to the nation in which JFK outlines a new direction for The United States by securing it’s freedom, being a competitive nation in all aspects, and rallying the citizens behind the government.
The year of 1960 marked not only a turn in the decade, but a turn in culture. The american people elected the young democrat John F. Kennedy in the height of the Cold War. Tensions were rising, and ideologies clashed between the superpowers. Yet somehow, JFK never played on anti-communist fervor, at least not as much as Eisenhower. He never spent his speeches slamming Kruschev or fueling rage. Instead, he took the route of hopefulness and, until the Cuban Missile Crisis, never sponsored brinksmanship. Despite the fear and the harsh reality of nuclear weapons, he summed up his philosophy when he stated: “forgive your enemies, but never forget their names”. At the time, the radicals were no longer the bitter left nor the bitter right, but the
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President of the United States of America at noon on January 20th, 1961. He then delivered his inaugural speech in The National Center for Public Policy Research's Archive of Historical Documents. Kennedy’s speech, one that Thurston Clarke referred to as “...the speech that changed America.” may quite possibly have done just that. Kennedy’s speech sought to convey many messages to the American people. It, at the time, speaks of a world which is “very different now” and notes the importance and prevalence of change in American society and the rest of the world. The most important theme taken from Kennedy’s speech perhaps though is its call to arms of Americans to become active citizens and to fight not only the wrongs and injustices to freedom taking place throughout the world but also to advance the rights and freedoms experienced within the United States by turning inward and actively pursuing change for the betterment of American society.