Ronald Reagan Tear Down This Wall Rhetorical Devices

Introduction

Ronald Reagan delivered the speech “Tear Down this Wall”, June 12, 1987 to the West Berliners in Berlin, Germany at the Brandenburg Gate and stood with the wall behind him to create a greater impact on his words. Two years after his speech, the wall was finally put down and west and east berlin became one. In “Tear Down this Wall”, Ronald Reagan uses rhetorical devices such as rhetorical appeals, imagery and repetition to bring hope to the people that one day they will be able to breathe freedom.

Historical context

The cold war was a war where no weapons were operated between the Soviet Union or the United States. It waged on political, economic and propaganda fronts (‘cold war’. Britannica school encyclopedia. Britannica 20 Aug.

He became famous for being able to speak clearly. He was an actor before becoming the president. He was a president from 1981-1989. He had a remarkable skill as an orator that earned him the title “the great communicator” (‘Ronald Reagan”. Britannica school. Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Jun 2016) He spoke in such a manner that he was able to connect with the people and make them understand his views and believe in what he says. He was a republican and governor of California. He won both elections by a landslide and believed in a small government. He worked on lowering taxes and creating a bigger

He was able to persuade them and see the problem through his eyes. For example, with pathos he used their emotions to cause. With logos, he used factual data to explain the the Berliners the problems that the communist was dealing with and how it’s being contained. The he uses imagery and with the wall being behind him is the biggest imagery yet. He gives them an idea of how living as a communist is and how bland and depressing it is. Since these people in communist governments don’t have anything for themselves. Everyone in a communist government are the same there is no two-different person. They have the same house, car, number of children, etc. as well as being similar to everyone no one has any freedoms or a voice. They can’t practice their religion or give their own