The President of the United States has big shoes to fill and even bigger speeches to write. On January 20th, 1961, John F. Kennedy delivered his inauguration speech to the citizens of the Unites States on the steps of the Capitol Building. In the historical speech delivered by John F. Kennedy, he sought out support and trust from his fellow Americans in order to lead the United States for the next four years. His speech was driven with determination for a better country; the words he spoke fueled life and fire into the citizens with a vision of a greater tomorrow. In John F. Kennedy’s speech he spoke on many different points and promised many different things. The first words that he spoke were saying how this was not a loss for any particular party, but a win for freedom. He told the people that we are a country shaped from wars, a country changed by peace that we had to fight for, a country that is proud of where we have come from. As country we will not let those who are struggling in poverty in the country and outside of the country be alone; we will try to help. John F. Kennedy states …show more content…
Kennedy delivered has been considered to be one of the most moving speeches given by a president. He uses the emotions of the voters in his favor. Kennedy uses the fear that American’s have of going to war again, and promises them that the country will strive for peace. He vows to renew the peace with other countries, so that war and destruction will not occur again, trying to ease the mind of the weary. John F. Kennedy plays on the want that people have to help others, saying that the country will go aid covered countries. With the words of promise falling off his tongue, he tells the country that these hopes for a better tomorrow will take time. That logically that these plans will take time, that it will be longer than the people may hope for, but that he will start as soon as possible. John F. Kennedy also states SOMETHING ABOUT GOD
Those words were, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country” ("Inaugural Address."). In order to achieve all these feats, JFK need a nation united. JFK pulled on the nations heartstrings by reminding the nation of it’s core values, which it was founded on. He appeals to that “tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage” side of the American public ("Inaugural Address."). He later goes on to say that change will not happen overnight, but rather change is a continuous process that is always evolving and
John F Kennedy delivered one of the finest speeches on January 20, 1961 after being sworn into office. His inauguration speech was so powerful that it captured the entire nations attention, and quotes from it are still remembered by people today. It is one of the finest speeches ever written. It provides a strong appeal to pathos, ethos and logos, and it is because of this that people who never heard the speech can quote lines from it.
Kennedy was elected president in the year of 1961. Which was during the time that the Cold War was in full swing. The Cold War being the tension filled era between the superpowers in the east and the superpowers in the west. Contrary to the other two presidents, JFK was not speaking to the American public at the time of the war 's conclusion but right near the middle of the 40 plus year issue. Regardless he was assuring the public. He stated, “...that the torch has been passed to a new generation of American-”. That optimism cannot be matched. Even at the darkest of times could he stand up there, the president of the United States, and tell the young people of America that their time is now. Not only that but he attempts to inspire Americans when he says “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”, which was definitely a knock at the Russians. JFK overall had this persona about him. This was the speech where muttered that historic and uplifting quote, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.” His message of peace and coexisting really stand the test of
In conclusion, this speech was structured beautifully. Its use of figurative and expressive language makes it an unforgettable speech. Kennedy does a great job of using pathos, ethos, and logos to reiterate his commitment to the American public as well as discuss expected changes. Given the state of the world at the time of his inauguration, the decision to rely so heavily on pathos and ethos was a wise one which got the job done. His use of the rhetoric triangle effectively conveys Kennedy’s plan for America to not only her citizens, but to the world.
Kennedy might have had his head in the clouds when preforming this speech, no man could have accomplished all that he set out to do in such a short time, but that was not the point. As Kennedy stood on that podium in Washington D.C. and the world tuned in to hear him, they weren’t listening for every flaw they could find. They were looking for someone to stand up there and let them hear what they had been missing for so long now. And as he wrapped up his speech, he was doing it. Kennedy was able to look right at every American, whether a hawk, a dove, or anywhere in the middle, and connect to them. The newly elected President of the United States successfully stood on that podium and made a lasting emotional appeal to the citizens of this country that swung their support in favor of Kennedy further, and unionized us behind a common man and a common cause, the betterment of this
John emphasized if a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. He felt Americans needed to use their freedoms to do great things, not just be thankful they have them. Pres. Kennedy’s heart longed for the nation of America to grab hold of the reigns of their freedom and take it to the extreme. The extreme would be to feed the hungry, help those in poverty fight their way out of it, and make peace in the world more often than war.
Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States of America. His inaugural address showed his stance on freedom, and he said some controversial statements that fazed many during that era. He was very committed to the idea of freedom for everyone no matter what race, religion, status, etc they were. Kennedy made an extreme sacrifice when he was unfortunately assassinated because many learned about him and his beliefs. His inaugural address states, “Ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” (Kennedy). Similarly, he was earnestly passionate about freedom for all and that any sacrifice no matter how extreme, would be necessary to achieve freedom. Consequently, he was adamant about preserving liberty, and he was faced with issues at a public level. Kennedy expressed his feelings about helping less fortunate countries even though some people opposed his beliefs. He said, “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich,” (Kennedy). Moreover, he stressed that Americans should be grateful that they lived in the U.S. Also, he was determined to preserve America’s freedom that was earned from hardships of the
Hand asked in his speech “In that spirt of liberty and of America I ask you to rise with me, pledge our faith in the glorious destiny of our beloved country.” During Hand’s time, America was in civil war, Hand wanted to refrain the country’s faith and unite the people. But Kennedy had a bigger goal, as he became the president of the United States, he wants to help all that is struggling to gain their freedom. “Let every nation know, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty...to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty... Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas.” Kennedy wants to improve the government so it can protect the rights of the people. Hand asked for people to be with him in the fight for their freedom; though, Kennedy placed a request for all nations to support the fight against
In his Inaugural Address he said, that he would bear any burden, pay any price, and the hardship, to oppose any foe and success of liberty(Kennedy.5). This meant that he was to do as much as he possibly could to ensure and spread freedom around the world. Because European countries wanted a communist country which was to have all of your property owned not by you but everyone. Since there was no freedom or constitution Kennedy’s wasn’t going to approve of this idea. President Kennedy also stated, “...those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.” (Kennedy.8). He stated something very powerful with how the Nuclear attacks were occurring then that he said, that people who want power and use force will be destroyed before he can control
In JFK’s inaugural address he said that the world should work together in peace, America will help people that need to be helped, and that we need our weapons to show that we are strong, so we won’t need to use them. He said America will help those who need to be helped when he said, “To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves…” He also stated that we need our weapons to show we are strong and that countries should work together in peace when he said, “For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed” and when he said, “Finally to those nations who would make
Since the birth of the United States, the president has always had more responsibility than to just be a leader. He is to represent the people by being one of the people. The inaugural speech has always been a milestone for the country in terms of a first glimpse of what the future years might look like with the new leader. It is the first time that the new president can present to American people the plan they have in leading the country. The key to a successful inaugural speech is to have it be memorable and powerful, and John F. Kennedy's is noexception. Through the use of rhetoric, President Kennedy is able to clearly pave his plans plans for America
Throughout history, the inaugural address is the new president's first opportunity to address the nation as President of the United States. Most will use this time to discuss their plans and initiatives for their presidential term. John F. Kennedy’s 1691 inaugural address is considered to be one of the most memorable speeches in American history. This particular time marked a turning point in history; a new younger generation of Americans was taking over who had fought in WWII, knew about the Cold War and nuclear weapons and was ready to move the country forward, make it better in order to lead the world.The youngest president to date, lays out his plan to lead the nation and rallies citizens to get positively involved in serving their country and that freedom must prevail. Kennedy’s use of syntax, diction, and
Being elected President is a role that comes with the burden and responsibility of a nation. On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy presented his inaugural speech in front of thousands huddled in the cold wind upon the Capitol. It was here, in freezing temperatures, which the new President vowed to protect and serve his country against all adversaries. When John. F Kennedy gave his speech, his words were not just aimed at his country, but the world. In just under 1,500 words, President Kennedy inspired a nation to see that people progress together, not separately, which is why this unity is referred back to currently.
Kennedy began the address with, "We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom." The threat of spreading communism outside of America and the escalating racial tensions was a clear example of the steadfast necessity of a strong leader. There was a threat of people losing, or winning, these so called freedoms. And it called upon people’s ethics and morals on whether they agreed on fighting the good war.
Kennedy speech is able to convey Dr. King’s message through many rhetorical strategies. His words are effectively subdue and connective to an emotional audience. Kennedy connects to Black Americans outlook on the deplorable and tragic loss of Dr. King. Throughout The United States of America racism has always divided blacks and whites. This division for society created hate and injustice for Black Americans. Dr. King led a revolution to end segregation for all mankind. Kennedy’s purpose is to have no more violence between one another. Kennedy opening remarks enclosed news that impacts everyone, “I have some very sad news for all of you, and, I think, sad news for all of our fellow citizens, and people who love peace all over the world (Kennedy, 1968, par 1).” His message is not superior or political. His message is sharing a connection of sorrow and grief. Kennedy’s intended audience obviously is Black Americans and specifically those who stood for non-violence. The genre is a speech. The context is Kennedy’s intent to unify his audience. “We can make and effort , as Martin Luther King did to understand, and comprehend, and replace that violence, that stain of stain of bloodshed that has spread across our land, with an effort to understand , compassion, and love (Kennedy, 1968, par