The Great Depression was one of the most trying times in American History, and the 1932 election held the fate of the country. The American people were in a desperate time and they were looking to the next president for guidance. When it came down to the nominees, the American people had to choose between Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Herbet Hoover. Roosevelt was the obvious choice for the American people, as many people held Hoover personally accountable for the depression, as well as the fact that Hoover’s plan was for excessive government spending rather than actually dealing with the depression (Foner, p. 641). Franklin Delano Roosevelt was perhaps one of the most impactful presidents in the nation’s history, with one of the most anticipated inaugural addresses of the time.
FDR Vs. LBJ Because of their position in the government, Americans have such high standards for presidents. However, a lot of the time presidents are criticized more for their mistakes rather than their accomplishments. As Michael Siegel shows in his book President as Leader “presidential leadership is exercised by real, flawed human beings, and not by superheroes or philosopher-kings beyond the reach of scrutiny or critique.”
Americans felt heartbroken when their homes were under attack. In the two speeches, both Roosevelt and Bush expressed how they felt and their ideas based on the two attacks on America. Their ideas will be expressed through tone, purpose, and audience. All speeches have a serious tone of some type. Roosevelt's tone was stern and commanding,since he had labeled the attack “a day that will live in infamy.”
In his impassioned speech at a fundraising event for the Kennedy Library Foundation, Ronald Reagan described the sensational man that John F Kennedy was and the legacy that followed him. The event at which the speech was given was held under the premise of raising money to further support the presidential library, and Reagan made it a priority to recognize the admirable and important contributions Kennedy made to the entire world and pay tribute to a great figure in history. He prioritized the recognition of Kennedy’s character, actions, and impact that the audience would relate to and understand. His audience was the possible donors to the fund so it was important that they were aware of what Kennedy stood for and what he contributed to society
The United States experienced many battles and disagreements that have influenced the world in many ways throughout its existence. In these cases, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B Johnson are both helping the country through difficult times through the State of the Union addresses. In the first passage, President Roosevelt explains how he believes that America can work together to prevent Japanese imperialism, and in the second passage, Johnson explains how America will fight to prevent communism in Vietnam and acquire peace. Although Roosevelt has mentioned some inspiring aspirations in his passage, the passage which includes part of Johnson’s speech sticks with one idea.
As a conclusion, both Roosevelt and Kennedy’s speech have impressive ideas of the meaning of the word “freedom”. They both present their main concerns, what they want to accomplish, and how the people and the country is going to help. Roosevelt’s speech gives basic human rights that he believes every person should be entitled to, whereas Kennedy’s speech he talks more to other nations and about what he pledges to them. As said in the above paragraphs the historical context, and the purpose also helped with the structure of the their speeches.
Over 100 million people in the world do not have the same basic freedoms that every American has, and over 4 billion people face harsh religious freedoms not allowing them to believe in what they want. During times of conflict in the world the United States and its presidents work to keep the freedoms that we as Americans have. Both Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” speech and Kennedy’s inaugural address describe how they want to preserve freedom in our country and the world. However, Roosevelt’s speech talks about aiding other countries to protect freedom and liberty, whereas Kennedy’s speech talks more about protecting our own country 's freedom and how to do it, through negotiation.
However, Roosevelt’s speech uses military power to get freedom, whereas Kennedy’s speech wants peace and negotiation to get freedom. During the time of Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” speech, Europe was just beginning World War 2. Adolph Hitler and his Nazi party already had taken over Norway, Belgium, and other European countries. Many Americans did not want to get involved within the war.
Throughout the twentieth century many deadly conflicts and wars were fought: World War I, World War II, and the Cold War were the most famous wars. These wars were fought for power, and freedom of countries. World War II and the Cold War stood out the most as it involved America and its struggle against the Axis and Soviet Union. These two wars threatened the freedoms of America and its citizens, which caused the two presidents during their time to address them. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the president during World War II and he addressed his problem with his “Four Freedoms” speech while John F. Kennedy, the president during the Cold War addressed his problem with the “Inaugural Speech.”
The inaugural speeches from Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy take place during significant historic times, one during the Great Depression, which affected millions of Americans, and one during the Cold War, which impacted the entire world. They are both considered to be one of the most prosper speeches in political history. While their lectures might have things in common there are different approaches. Both Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” speech and Kennedy’s inaugural address talk about the huge ideological and aggressive threat that both stated would be harmful to American freedom and democracy. With same things in mind they use imagery that draws on images that are easily understood by everybody and unaffected by levels of education.
Freedom can be defined in many different ways, the dictionary definition, meaning the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint may be how you see freedom. One thing most of the people in the world would agree on is that freedom throughout the world. Both Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” speech and Kennedy’s inaugural address discuss upholding freedom in the world. However, Roosevelt’s speech talks about supporting war in the efforts to maintain peace, whereas Kennedy’s speech talks about using more peaceful means like negotiating and coming to an agreement. Roosevelt gave his “Four Freedoms” speech in 1941.
On April 4, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy was in Indianapolis for a campaign stop, when he received news that Martin Luther King was killed, causing Kennedy to write and deliver a speech regarding the assassination. This speech was succinct but not only was it about the assassination, it was also to tell the people there is still wisdom and hope in this time of turmoil. To reach this purpose, he first builds up his ethos, uses pathos to add mood and hope, and unifies the people. The combination of these elements makes it a very powerful and memorable speech. Robert F. Kennedy builds his credibility by relating his personal experience and knowledge of what the audience is feeling to the current events.
Sacrifice: destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else. America was once a great nation because of the incredible sacrifices that were made. America is, still, a great nation, but is lacking the sacrifices that were made years ago. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., for example, went to jail to gain freedom for his people. His powerful words in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech and “Letter from Birmingham Jail” moved his followers to take charge and earn their freedom.
John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address On Friday, January 20, 1961 John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as 35th President of the United States. In his Inaugural Address President Kennedy delivered a speech to unite and celebrate the peaceful transition of power that stands to this day as one of the most powerful addresses in modern history. Widely considered a call to action, President Kennedy challenged the American people to move beyond the precincts of the past to make a difference to move the world into an era of peace and prosperity. His promise to the other states on the world stage was no less spectacular when he swore “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship,
Freedom Anyone in the world with an occasional source of internet has no choice but to see the seemingly outrageous news stories, posted weekly on events in the US. American’s have made their distrust in the government more than obvious, which in many cases, the government has provoked. The largest debate in the states today is the with the concept of freedom and where the lines are drawn between social security, equality, and one’s rights. Freedom is and always has been heavily emphasized in the development of the 50 states. It’s brought peace and war both figuratively and literally.
