How Does Lyndon B Johnson Use Allusions In The American Promise

Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 speech “The American Promise” is a powerful, emotive address to the nation that declared the United States' commitment to ending poverty and racial injustice. In this speech, Johnson paints a vivid picture of the progress and potential of America, and issues a passionate plea for the nation to embrace its collective promise to protect and advance the rights of all Americans. Johnson's speech is an example of powerful rhetoric, as he uses a range of persuasive devices to appeal to the nation's sense of morality and justice such as connotative diction and allusions. In his speech, "The American Promise," Lyndon B. Johnson used connotative diction to evoke an emotional response from his audience. From the very beginning

Johnson used allusions to evoke a sense of shared history and unity among Americans. This speech included allusions to some of the most important phrases in the foundation of the United States. He states, “this was the first nation in history of the world to be founded with a purpose. The great phrases of that purpose still sound in every American heart, North and South: "All men are created equal," "government by consent of the governed," and “give me liberty or give me death.”... In their name Americans have fought and died for two centuries, and tonight around the world they stand there as guardians of our liberty, risking their lives” (Johnson). The phrase "all men are created equal" is a reference to the Declaration of Independence, while "government by consent of the governed" is a reference to the Constitution. The phrase "give me liberty or give me death" is a reference to Patrick Henry's famous speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1775. These allusions serve to remind the audience of the founding principles of the United States and the sacrifices made in order to achieve them. Through his allusions, Johnson was able to create a strong sense of shared identity and purpose among his