John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address

n January 20th, 1961, the weather that day was an astonishing cold one at 22 degrees Fahrenheit. John F. Kennedy is about to deliver a speech that will echo around the world. Before we analyze his speech let’s see what was happening in the world at that time. In 1961, we were at the height of the cold war against the USSR. Things got so bad that Americans at that time were building backyard fallout shelters in case of a nuclear war. On top of that, we spent a lot of money backing the anti-Castro movement in order to kill Fidel Castro during the invasion at the bay of pigs which was a disaster. After a competitive election, John F. Kennedy won by a small margin the results were Kennedy 49.72 percent, and Nixon 49.55 percent. President Kennedy

During that time citizens were scared of going to war right after being in world war 2 and then the Korean War. The citizens of that time had not known peace and there were other countries in extreme poverty where citizens there also lacked peace. Kennedy believed that God has chosen him to stand up and do something great, do something where he can help people. In his speech, he talks a new beginning for our country, and then segues into the renewal of friendship between allies and then goes to what he is hoping to change. He appeals to the generation that fought in the World War 2 to show how patriotic and loyal they are to the United States and proving it by uniting and cooperating with all people around the world for a better tomorrow. “Now the trumpet summons us again-not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need--not as a call to battle, though embattled we are--but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"--a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself. Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?” (Kennedy). The United States is called the melting pot of the world because the best thing about our country

During the beginning of his speech he swears that he will change things “I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath.” (Kennedy) He showed his commitment to help people in third world countries “To those peoples in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required--not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right.” (Kennedy). As a human being, we all know everybody deserves human rights as well as peace. This quote shows Kennedy’s commitment to these ideals which proves that he is a president with great morals and ethical character just like what the United States has. Kennedy’s speech resonated with the audience because it showed how similar the views of the president and those in the audience were. The audience learned that they have the same ability to make an impact on the world as the president since he asked for their help. This convinced the audience to do something for their country, and so the result of the speech was