Political Rhetoric: Very Rough Draft!

Political Rhetoric
The early 1960’s was a time of much uncertainty, and many questions. Many of the inherent human freedoms were threatened. President John F. Kennedy greatly desired to relieve some of the stress and pressure that many Americans were feeling and confronting. Throughout his Inaugural Speech in 1961, John F. Kennedy appeals heavily to fundamental principles of human freedom and happiness, directly acknowledges many different groups of individuals and appeals to their needs, shows awareness of several situations and struggles around the world, and makes commitments to many different groups and individuals, expecting a commitment from each in return. President Kennedy is not only able to recognize many different situations and needs, but he also offers some thoughts on how to act, and how change can be implemented. Through these tools, he is able to unite his audience and to refresh both his audience’s hope that they can actually create the world which they have all longed to live in and their desire to act.
1) Fundamental principles of human freedom and happiness…
Very early in his address, Kennedy establishes the fact that Americans and all people around the world hold to many of the same basic values and principles. This is very effective for him because it lets his audience know that his entire speech will be established on broadly applicable principles and morals, creating a sense of unity, even among very different individuals. He states clearly that, “the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans… unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.” Although he directly addresses his American audience, who is present at the speech, the principle is applied to the world as a whole, and to his audience abroad. He specifically states that not only are we committed to these values here in the United States, but that everyone “around the world” is committed to them as well. Through a simple statement, he was able to not only unite his national audience, but an international one as well. This unity not only had an effect on principle, but was also very influential in uniting everyone in how to act as well.
2) Different groups that he shows an awareness of and of their needs…
In addition to being able to unite his audience through establishing common interests, Kennedy is able to continue to build unity by acknowledging very specific groups within his broad audience. He is able to show the personal meaning and significance of his message to each of the different groups. He begins each new statement with one of the groups in mind, “To those old allies… To those new States… To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery… To our sister republics south of our border… To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations… Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary…” This specific acknowledgement had a very powerful affect on those who were part of the audience. Two main effects can be noted. First, the specific acknowledgement helped the audience to be more attentive during the speech. Second, the acknowledgement helped the audience to feel a sense of individual responsibility that would remain with them long after the speech was delivered.
3) Situations he acknowledges from around the world…
At the time of President Kennedy’s election, there were many threats around the world to the peace that we would enjoy as a global civilization. Nuclear warfare was one of the great threats. Kennedy not only acknowledged this serious problem and issue that the nations were facing, but he also offered some suggestions of action that we should take. He stated, “both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.”
4) Commitments and promises…
Another effective tool that Kennedy employed in his inaugural speech was that of making commitments to his audience. It was made even more powerful as he made very specific and individual commitments to specific sub-groups within his audience. For example, he promised, “those old allies” that America would “pledge the loyalty of faithful friends.” Here he not only drew upon friendship, a fundamental human value, but he also made a commitment to his audience that both he and America would hold to that. President Kennedy also established some commitments with his global audience, expanding the reaches of his message: “To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge—to convert our good words into good deeds—in a new alliance for progress—to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty.” Another great promise the Kennedy makes embraces yet another strong value supported by many people. He commits to those “peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery” to give his “best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required.” Again, drawing upon a principle that his general audience would embrace, and also making a long-term commitment, shows his willingness to do whatever it takes to make things right. As he instills his willingness to do so, it enables him to ask the same of others later on in his address.
5) Why was his speech so powerful in leading people to act?...
6) Conclusion