Two Berlin Speeches: A Change in History Many people are influenced by the ideas of others. A great example of this would be the two speeches in Berlin given by two well liked presidents. “Remarks at the Rudolph Wilde Platz” by President John F. Kennedy was the first speech given at Berlin from the two presidents. 24 years later, President Ronald Reagan gave his speech called the “Brandenburg Gate”. Both of these speeches included lots of rhetoric and they both shared a common purpose, which was to end the division of Germany. To begin with, both speeches argued that democracy is far superior than communism. Kennedy feels that communism isn’t considered being in a free world. He believes there is a “...great issue between a free world and …show more content…
a communist world” (par. 5). This basically means that as long as communism exists there will never truly be a “free world.” This is significant, because it shows that Kennedy has a pessimistic view of communism. Reagan also argues that communism does not belong in East Germany or on Earth in general. He says that communism is a step back in humanity causing “...failure, technological backwardness, declining standards of health…” (par. 9). This shows that Reagan shows no appreciation for the whole idea of communism, and believes it is not as good as being in a free society. Clearly, both of these speeches argued that communism should not exist and Germany should not be separated. In addition to the common purposes, they also shared a similar use of rhetoric.
In Kennedy’s speech, he had rhetorical devices such as plain folks appeal, repetition, and pathos. He used plain folk appeal by using the audience’s language of German by saying “Ich bin ein Berliner” (par. 3). Him saying “I am a Berliner” strengthens his argument, as it makes President Kennedy feel like a normal person as he is with the people of Berlin. He used repetition when he was going against communism and stated that all people who disagree should “...come to Berlin” (par. 5). This use of repetition emphasizes Kennedy’s argument and helps him connect with the audience. Kennedy used the persuasive technique of pathos when he was saying that the wall was “... separating families, dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters, and dividing a people who wish to be joined together” (par. 6). This makes the audience feel a sense of pity towards the families who have been separated by the Berlin Wall. To conclude, Kennedy had a strong use of various different rhetorical …show more content…
devices. In addition, President Reagan also had many similar devices.
Reagan’s speech had rhetorical devices, such as, allusion, rhetorical question, and plain folks appeal. He made an indirect reference to an event in the 1950’s, which politician Khrushchev predicted “we will bury you” (par. 8). This allusion tells the audience that Reagan has a good knowledge of the topic he is speaking about. Reagan gives a rhetorical question, when he was talking about how changes have occurred in the Soviet Union and he asked if “these are the beginnings of profound changes in the Soviet state?” (par. 11). The use of a rhetorical question gets the audience involved and it gives emphasis to his claim. Finally, Reagan uses plain folks appeal just like Kennedy by using the German language by saying “Es gibt nur ein Berlin” (par. 4). This use of the German language is helpful to his speech, because by him saying “there is only one Berlin” in the audience's language, it shows that he is really caring of the whole
situation. Overall, both of these speeches ended up changing history forever; these speeches eventually led to the fall of the Berlin wall. The fact that both of these speeches shared a common purpose and the use of rhetoric, makes both of the speeches that much more unique. In the end, without these speeches the Berlin wall may have never went down. Maybe people should take every speech more seriously, as it may end up changing the world forever.
He used a very selective vocabulary, purposely using emotionally charged words such as: “wholly unjustifiable and irresponsible defiance” (lines 4-5), “ruthless disregard” (line 82), and “restraint and sacrifice” (lines 14-15). By using words with strong connotation, he powers the emotions of his audience once again directing support for himself and appearing as the calm figurehead amongst the emotional chaos. He also makes his speech very personal by mentioning individual American families, literally using the phrase “every American family” (line 25). He appeals to the strong sense of patriotism in the American public by mentioning the four servicemen who died in Vietnam. Despite the fact that they are almost completely unrelated to the rise in steel prices and, if they were alive, would be unaffected by the rise in price, either. And yet, Kennedy mentions the servicemen to make the situation appear that much more dire. By mentioning the tragic deaths of these men, Kennedy aims to trigger a strong emotional response in his audience that would turn into support for
Ronald Reagan adeptly utilizes Ethos Pathos and Logos in his Brandenburg Gate address, he attempts to sway the audience of the importance of success of the marshal plan and western values as a whole, and convince the leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, to open up the barrier which had divided West and East Berlin since 1961. Reagan begins his speech by addressing the people present and recognizing the “freedom” and “feeling of history” of the city of Berlin has. He makes his first reference to previous speakers by saying, “Twenty four years ago, President John F. Kennedy visited Berlin, and speaking to the people of this city and the world at the city hall. Well since then two other presidents have come, each in his turn to Berlin. And today, I, myself, make my second visit to your city,”( Reagan 361) His first usage of pathos is when he addresses the east berliners who were separated from the westerners by the Berlin wall and tells them, “I join your fellow countrymen in the West, in this
“Born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage.” (Miss, Daly, Pg.). This show the U.S. people that he really loves this country and really cares about what’s going on and what happens to it in the future. Another way he brings pathos into his speech is by the language/words he uses in his speech. When he is talking he uses a lot of words like “we”, “us”. This makes the U.S. people feel very connected to him and makes the feel like they are a part of it to, it is like they made the decision to vote him president and now they get to help him make his decisions about the future of America. In his address he says “In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course.” (Miss, Daly, Pg.). which again he connects to the people by making them feel involved and by basically saying the future of America is even more in our hands then in his and it really depends on us in how we want America to turn out, and again makes the U.S people feel very patriotic and proud of their country. Overall John F Kennedy was very successful in persuading the U.S. people about their choice by using pathos and by just talking to
The people of the United States look at this crash as a failure, but Reagan turns it around when he says, “what happened today does nothing to diminish it”(6) and “we will continue to follow them” (5). Reagan’s use of tone allows him to inspire the United States to keep moving forward after the flop. This hope is what makes Reagan’s speech so successful. Tone and rhetorical appeals guide the speech but Reagan’s use of rhetorical devices is what makes the speech so successful. Reagan uses figurative language to persuade his audience that failure is the first step to success.
Ronald Reagan was one of the most liked Presidents. When being elected for his second term, he won by a landslide—winning all the states minus Minnesota and Washington D.C. Reagan addresses the people of the United States of America. He wants the American people to reflect on his presidency, and as all presidents do in their farewell addresses, he wants to say goodbye to the nation that he's led for the past eight years. Ronald Reagan uses repetition, parallel structure, and allusion to reflect on his presidency and to say farewell to the American people.
“If a free society can not help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”(Kennedy, 1961) Statements such as these demonstrate how Kennedy appealed to the citizens by simply using reason. The use of logos in his speech was minimal compared to the use of pathos, and ethos.
Kennedy wants both enemies and friends to come together and make peace for future generations.On the other hand, Roosevelt had a different opinion on what freedom
...speech to the world where he was quoted as saying, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” The speech was given at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin (“Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall: President Ronald Reagan”). This speech signified the beginning of the end of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. President Reagan’s foreign policy tactics are another reason why he was a great president.
Evident throughout his entire address, Kennedy employs a cogent pathos appeal to keep his audience intrigued. This can be demonstrated when Kennedy initially proclaims: “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans…” who he urges to be “unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of…human rights to which this nation has always been committed…” (Kennedy). Kennedy’s usage of “we” rather than “I” gives the audience a sense that they exist as part of something big, perhaps a family, while portraying Kennedy as a people’s president who desires to be a “person in the crowd.” Throughout his address, Kennedy establishes pathos mainly by appealing to American patriotism, a significant concept during the Cold War period in which Americans needed a jingoistic spirit to succeed. By reminding his audience of their forefathers and instigating parallels between “the first revolution” and the present generation, “born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage,” the president grasps the attention of the audience. He even stresses the value of liberty and this generation’s dedication to the survival of that value to rou...
Kennedy used allusion in his speech as a way to convey historical liteature into their hearts. For example, Robert F. Kennedy was able to pursuade the citizens to keep the peace once more. In stanza 13 and 14, lines 1 and 2 it states,” Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world/ Let us dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our country and for our people.” This means that the citizens throughout America should stay at peace for hard times are to arise. This is important because all of the United States went on a riot except Indianapolis because of Robert F. Kennedy’s
Though Kennedy and Clinton addressed their audiences nearly thirty-two years apart, each rhetor faced a common rhetorical barrier – an American populace too heavily focused on the personalities within each respective presidential election rather than the true issues confronting the United States. To overcome that barrier, both Kennedy and Clinton utilize definitional strategies – in the form of association – as well as language strategies –specifically, historical allusions. Whether or not the speeches directly correlate with both candidates winning their presidential elections does not concern the examination; this paper observes how exactly the rhetorical devices used served to dissolve the barriers between the rhetor and the intended audience.
Although both Mark Antony’s and Robert F. Kennedy’s speeches were successful largely due to the strength of their arguments, their careful choice and placement of their words and sentences is also an important factor in the delivery of their messages. The clever use of stylistic devices and techniques of both Antony and Kennedy’s speeches is a testimony to their much admired speaking styles. The use of repetition, caesuras, and personal references augment their speeches so that it is concise, purposeful, memorable and emotionally engaging. The influential nature of both Mark Antony and Robert F. Kennedy is in part due to their high level of skill in speech-making, a rewarding skill to have in any language, and an important asset required for any leader.
Since the main reason of his sermon is to inspire rather than educate, Kennedy rarely uses any logical pleads. Yet, Kennedy adequately uses passionate dialect to make the people sense their involvement in what all the President says. Kennedy composes the assignment to bring back tranquility and good-wealth as not only his aim, but of the public as well. With famed verses like, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” Kennedy makes the spectators feel inclined to make an impact in the world they live. Apart from infusing a sense of obligation in the crowd, Kennedy’s greatest element in his speech was the aptitude to arouse a feeling of esteem in the audience. Kennedy constantly uses phrases about freedom and sovereignty to remind the people they still are. “The heirs of that first revolution.” This dialect portrays America as a powerful and patriarch republic that possesses greater philanthropy of all the other nations around the world. Even though much of the address is fervent in tone, Kennedy devotes a large section of his topic to outline his ethos to all inhabitants of the world. JFK introduced the use of ethos at the inception of his address. Kennedy was very young when he came into office, but he was still obliged to act at the same status as former presidents. Attentive to this condition, Kennedy
The audience he was trying to directly get to was the people he understood were listening to it in the East. He also states, “I address my remarks to you just as surely as to those standing here before me.” To follow up with his statement of intended audience, Reagan says a powerful statement. A statement that is intended to the entirety of the audience. “For I join you, as I join your fellow countrymen in the West, in this firm, this unalterable belief: Es gibt nur ein Berlin.” The final sentence meaning “There is only one Berlin.” This is yet another instance in this rhetorical masterpiece that Reagan clearly states his objective of the speech, to unify
The Berlin wall appeared to be an actual iron curtain. With the panic that came with the wall, Kennedy followed not long after, arriving in Rudolph Wilde Platz to an estimated 1.1 million free Germans (Widmer 2013). At the time, this was over half of West Berlin that came to attend their ray of hope. The people weren’t week, but instead, seeked the truth of freedom in the words of Kennedy’s speech. With confidence the President spreads his words of freedom. John Kennedy’s energy lifted the spirits of West Berlin. Democracy was felt throughout the entire crowd.