Rhetorical Analysis Of Tear Down This Wall

In 1987, Ronald Reagan delivered his speech to the people of Berlin entitled “Tear down this wall.” This speech was given in the hope that communism, as well as the soviet union, would be exterminated and replaced with democracy. Reagan uses body language such as upright posture and eye contact to draw his audience in and make connections with them. Reagan also uses a rather assertive tone to strengthen his argument. The context of this time period helps to define the audience directly towards the people of Germany, as well as President Gorbachev of the Soviet Union. He also uses diction to prove to the audience that he is educated and knows what he is talking about. Reagan's use of these devices help to strengthen his claim that the Berlin Wall and communism in Germany at this time needs to be eliminated in order to create a better functioning society for Germany as well as the whole world all in hopes of a

catalyst to the end of the Soviet Regime.
Reagan uses tenacious diction to provide strength in his claim and draw his audience in.

Reagan’s use of diction specifically lets the audience know that he is knowledgeable of the topic. Reagan “understood the practical importance of liberty--that just as truth can flourish only when the journalist is given freedom of speech”(Reagan) which is exactly what the people are in need of at this time. This speech meant a huge deal at this time because the communist plague was spreading all throughout europe with no central power that could slow them down. East Berlin was one of the worst communist ridden cities in all of europe which provided Reagan with a perfect opportunity to cross the border from West Berlin into East Berlin so he could deliver his speech and let his audience know that he was not going to stop until the wall had fallen. Reagan served as the one person they could listen to that would give them hope for the future. With the tearing down of the Berlin Wall would come freedom, unity, and democracy throughout Germany along with the rest of the

world.
Reagan used a rather assertive tone at a steady volume catching the audience's ears and helping them to understand the amplitude of what they are hearing instead of closing their ears to the fact that an American president is speaking on their behalf. This speech was given in Germany where a larger percentage of people did not speak english. Reagan helped the audience to side with him because of his confidence and knowledge perceived by his volume and tone. The substance of this speech can be understood today as one of the most important speeches ever given by a president in American history because communism was of utmost importance at this time. This speech was the first sign of hope that the people of Germany were given in a very long time. Reagan’s tone helped them to understand the amplitude of his claim ultimately strengthening his argument even more. Reagan provides an abundance of information with this assertive tone that it is “almost like he's daring someone to disagree with him”(Shmoop Editorial Team). This helps to grab the audience by their collars and put them on the edge of their seat enough to the point where they are thinking deeply about the subject and considering all aspects of Reagan’s claim.
Reagan uses eye contact to illicite a stronger emotional connection with his audience. Reagan’s use of this effectively emphasises how mistreated the people of Berlin are and how much they deserve “more convenient, more comfortable, and more economical [opportunities]”(Reagan). Reagan is saying this in context hoping that he can promote change in Germany and spark a fire for a new beginning. Because Germany was a country ridden of communism and impurity, this speech will forever hold a significant place in history because of the mass effect it had on the country. Only two years after this speech was given the Berlin wall fell along with the communism surrounding Germany and its people. The fall of this wall will forever symbolize the perceived morality of communism in itself and emphasize the effects it can and will have on a functioning society.
Reagan, being the gentleman he is, has very stout posture for the majority of his speech. This upright posture shows the audience that he cares about them greatly and has his mind set on making a difference in their country. Reagan’s use of this is reaffirmed when he turns to the wall and states that the behind the wall “encircles the free sectors of this city, part of a vast system of barriers that divides the entire continent of Europe”(Reagan). Reagan makes it abundantly clear that this walls division is not constructive and must be taken down for not only for the people of germany but for the rest of the europe as well. It is apparent that he stresses how important the issue is perceived for the betterment of the world.
Reagan does a very effective job of inspiring his audience to take his side in the issue and to understand what communism is doing to them as well as the world. At this time the world was in great need of someone to stand up in light of a new beginning, as well as an end to communism. After this speech was given it was very clear to the audience that while the wall still stood there was no hope for freedom. His claim helped to emphasise that “this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom”(Reagan). The perceived morality of this served as a catalyst to the fall of the Soviet Union. Reagan’s speech sparked a fire in europe resulting in a end to the soviet union, removing the communist plague from all of Germany and the rest of the world.