John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address

People can hear the same speech and interpret it differently. John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the Unites States, knew this fact when addressing the world through his “Inaugural Address”. His speech was given in Washington D.C., on the east front of the Capitol, on July 20th 1961. There were high expectations placed on his inaugural address, as he had won the election by one of the smallest vote margins in history. Many people were concerned since Kennedy, the youngest to be elected to office, was succeeding the then oldest U.S. President, Dwight Eisenhower. Therefore, people doubted whether Kennedy would be able to handle the crisis of the Cold War. The Cold War was a period of tension, proxy wars, and rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Kennedy’s presidency was in the midst of this tension, so his speech would have reached an audience beyond the U.S. The United States and the Soviet Union and its allies certainly interpret Kennedy’s speech differently. Kennedy says, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill,

The U.S. and its allies will interpret this as a peaceful statement. Kennedy appeals to unity by saying Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah. Through this use of pathos, Americans will believe that harmonious relations and collaboration are possible and should be present in the future. They will hear these words as an attempt to instigate this peaceful relationship, making them feel like the ‘bigger man’ by doing so first. Also, they will share empathy with people living under Communist regime, since they are oppressed. Liberty plays an important role in Western political ideology, so the U.S. and its allies believe that everyone deserves freedom. If they are assured liberty, than those oppressed should have the same