Dwight Eisenhower's Farewell Address Essay

“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger their liberties or democratic processes.” (3). These were the words of Dwight Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States, in his 1961 Farewell Address. These words were a warning to the American people. Eisenhower was one of the greatest military minds America has ever known. He had led America through World War II and Korea, and won against all odds. He was a highly respectable figure and highly intelligent. He used these skills to lead

He could sway a crowd with relative ease. This was one of the reasons why in the military, he was a substantial power. Not many could convince a man like Eisenhower could. In his speeches he would always use meticulously crafted persuasion, and made as many attempts to change your opinion as he could. His Farewell address was no exception. He tended to use more ethos and pathos. He did, however, tend to filter even these statements in a logical filter. “Throughout America's adventure in free government, such basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among peoples and among nations. To strive for less would be unworthy of a free and religious people” (1). He does a very good job here of conveying ethos to us. Showing us his beliefs and why they are right in the eye of society as a whole. Using it as a backdrop for showing the importance of good morals as a nation. Eisenhower had said that the world, “...must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.” (3). Here he does an immaculate job of pandering to our emotions. Wanting us to feel hopeful of a better future. He wanted us to work together for the betterment of the world. To become a strong accepting international, global community. “The weakest must come to the conference table with the same confidence as do we, protected as we are by our moral, economic, and military strength. That table, though scarred by many past frustrations, cannot be abandoned for the certain agony of the battlefield.” (3). Finally, he uses logic to show us why we should abandon war. This allows us to understand his vision of a peaceful world. He wants us to know how much worthless loss of life we have in war, and he wants us to end it. That is why this is an amazing speech. Even if his calls for change have not had any effect as of