John F Kennedy Ethos Appeal In Jfk Speech

On October 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy reached out to America and the Cubans with his Cuban Missile Crisis Address to the Nation. During this time, the Cold War had occupied several countries of world. This war resulted from tensions, military and political, between Russia and its allies and America, its allies, and the Western Hemisphere. When President Kennedy gave his speech, Russia had occupied Cuba and began building military bases that contained nuclear warheads and other deadly missiles. People of America saw this as a threat to the freedom of the U.S. and the Western Hemisphere. In a time of great tension and fear, President Kennedy delivered his spectacular and reassuring speech that appealed to the citizens of American in several ways.
Throughout his speech, President Kennedy utilized the ethos appeal. Being the President and citing important individuals and organizations gave him credibility. He “quote[d] their government, ‘the Soviet Union has so powerful rockets to carry

these nuclear warheads that there is no need to search for sites for them beyond the boundaries of the Soviet Union’” (source). President Kennedy also cited several other quotes from the Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko. Consequently, his address gained respect and credibility from the outside sources President Kennedy utilizes. Not only did he draw in outside sources, but he also informed the people on his course of action. President Kennedy’s revelation of his plans convinced Americans that he gave an authentic speech, and he demanded action to prevent disaster. Examples like these demonstrate how President Kennedy weaved ethos appeal into his oration.
Not only does President Kennedy’s speech contain the ethos appeal, but it also possesses the logos appeal.

He stated that if the Soviets execute a “hostile move anywhere in the world against the safety and freedom of peoples to whom we are committed, including in particular the brave people of West Berlin, [it] will be met by whatever action is needed” (source). Respectively, war was not the President’s first choice. President Kennedy declared that he himself and government officials “are prepared to discuss new proposals for the removal of tensions on both sides, including the possibilities of a genuinely independent Cuba, free to determine its own destiny” (source). During the Cuban Missile Crisis, America desired peace without war in the Western Hemisphere, but President Kennedy made it clear that the U.S. would fight for it if necessary. Throughout his address, President Kennedy utilized the logos appeal wonderfully to gain the trust of the American and Cuban

citizens.
Also, the ethos appeal appeared in the address. Not only did President Kennedy try to inform the nation, but he also strived to reassure people in a frightening time and to stir up a sense of patriotism. He said that the “cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender or submission” (source). President Kennedy also designated a specific section of his oration to the people of Cuba. Consequently, in this segment, he “[spoke] to [them] as a friend” to express his deep sorrow [on] how [their] nationalist revolution was betrayed -- and how [their] fatherland fell under foreign domination” (source). Respectively, President Kennedy brings more emotion into play when he mentions the power given to him from the constitution. In his speech, President Kennedy beautifully utilizes the ethos appeal.
When President Kennedy delivered his speech to the Americans and the Cubans, the Cold War was shaking the world. People felt frightened and vulnerable. They needed someone whom they could look up to for guidance and security. President Kennedy delivered his speech right when everyone needed to hear it. His speech reassured and calmed the citizens of both America and Cuba with extreme effectiveness.