ipl-logo

Thomas Jefferson First Inaugural Address Analysis

1808 Words8 Pages

Summaries: First Inaugural Address As Jefferson takes office he hopes to bring peace with other nations while also advancing American civilization. He acknowledges the brutal nature of the election of 1800. This shows he is aware of its importance for history. Jefferson speaks on ideals on the American people with frequent references to the freedom of man and freedom of speech. “[T]hat the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression”. While he knows that the election was important and brutal, it is also crucial that the people not see the government as wicked and the creator of bloody persecutions. “Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle” The time has come to …show more content…

Next, the checks and balances system are discussed and how it suggests regulations for the government. Jefferson makes a note towards the significance of independence and how it is ideal to allow the people handle it. Later, he states the release of the imprisoned or fined with the power of pardon. The case of Marbury and Madison is discussed and he states his ability to retain the commissions being transported. His final point is that the branches of government should be able to determine their obligation under the Constitution and not be concerned of the other …show more content…

Jefferson believes that if the slaves were to fight and gain their freedom, they should not stay in America and go back to their home country. He states that, “Justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other.” In addition, he notes that slaves would be committing suicide if they were to stay in America. He believes that if they were to gain freedom and leave the states, they will have a sense of happiness and accomplishment. Jefferson believes that allowing slavery in the western territories will make the slaves happier, for there was an increasing growth of

Show More
Related

Lincoln's First Inaugural Address Analysis

377 Words | 2 Pages

During Abraham Lincoln’s presidency at the start of the 1860, an issue that had divided the nation was slavery. Lincoln’s election to presidency as a republic was not received well by the Southern slave states, as they thought that as a republican he was out to abolish slavery. In an effort to calm southern states and keep them from seceding from the United States, he attempts to ease them with his First Inaugural Address. In his First Inaugural Address his key points are to clam southern leaders of slave states, keep the states from seceding, and make them at ease as he enters presidency.

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker

666 Words | 3 Pages

In paragraph 2, he alludes to the Declaration of Independence, which Jefferson helped form. The Declaration states “that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” By alluding to the Declaration Banneker shows how Jefferson, along with others who formed the Constitution, are hypocrites. Jefferson wrote that all men were created equal, and they all had unalienable rights, yet they owned slaves that were not treated equal, and not given any rights. These colonists also fought against oppression, yet they now partake in the oppression of blacks.

Read More

Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Devices

483 Words | 2 Pages

The art of persuasion, rhetoric, has allowed speakers and writers to influence others with their words, and Benjamin Banneker uses various compositional techniques in an attempt to liberate his people. He challenges Thomas Jefferson’s pro slavery views by criticizing his racist, and hypocritical, views of blatant human persecution. The vile institution of slavery was an issue that Americans during Banneker’s time blindly accepted. By using allusions to American history, Banneker attempted to prove that Jefferson was a hypocrite of his own American beliefs. Banneker makes a plethora of references to Jefferson’s hypocrisy, such as the line “you cannot acknowledge that the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy you have mercifully received and that it is the peculiar blessing of Heaven”.

Read More

Apostle Of Republican Liberty Analysis

653 Words | 3 Pages

Thomas Jefferson The article, “Apostle of Republican Liberty” by Eugene R. Sheridan presents a biography of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. Also known as the “Father of the Declaration of Independence”; founder of the University of Virginia, and author of the “Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom”. The author of this article, Eugene R. Sheridan is a member of the Princeton University Department of History, which has written couple of other books and articles about the early American history.

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of Thomas Jefferson Speech

403 Words | 2 Pages

Thomas Jefferson used his position as a newly elected president to send the message of unity to a country that had been divided by political affiliation and opinions. Jefferson spoke much of equality and respecting the difference of opinions in each other. In his speech, he highlighted that a difference of opinion should not be allowed to divide a country as strong as America and expresses the fact that although our views may differ we are all entitled to contrasting sentiments without consequence. He believed that knowledge, sound reasoning, and rationality would eventually win over those whose opinions were based on unsubstantiated reasoning. Thomas Jefferson was very wise in his belief that unity was possible and through this union, the

Read More

Quotes On Racism

700 Words | 3 Pages

He wants Jefferson to stand up and walk to that electric chair with his head held high. Not only is it relevant to Jefferson’s situation but it relates to what has been happening recently with the black shootings. There is now a black versus white war stirring up again. Most of the white cops are killing blacks because they consider them to be minor in comparison. Not all people with ivory skin think that way

Read More

Lincoln's Second Inaugural Speech Analysis

793 Words | 4 Pages

The Civil War was a time period of social, political, and economic tensions. The North and South fought to decide whether to stop or continue slavery. Abraham Lincoln, the then president, addresses the two crowds before and after the war; however, in the second address, after the war, he uses specific literary devices to convey his message, of the need to end slavery. Abraham Lincoln uses varied sentence structure and appeals, in his succinct Second Inaugural Speech, to try to bring back harmony in the states and the abolitionment of slavery. Abraham Lincoln uses varied sentence structure to emphasize his message of harmony and abolition of slavery.

Read More

William Henry Harrison Inaugural Speech Analysis

906 Words | 4 Pages

On March 4, 1841, President William Henry Harrison gave the longest inaugural speech in American history. In summary, President Harrison’s speech mainly discussed how the people of the United States has the rights to individual liberties and how it is the duty of the president to protect those liberties through the Constitution. Specifically, the speech went into great detail about how the president should consult with everyone, like the Senate and House of Representatives, before making a huge executive decision. In general, Harrison's goal was to bring the country together through the use of the Constitution and individual rights.

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

799 Words | 4 Pages

President Abraham Lincoln uses a variety of rhetorical strategies in his Second Inaugural Address to pose an argument to the American people regarding the division in the country between the northern states and the southern states. Lincoln gives this address during the American Civil War, when politics were highly debated and there was a lot of disagreement. Lincoln calls for the people of America to overcome their differences to reunite as one whole nation once more. Lincoln begins his Second Inaugural Address by discussing the American Civil War and its ramifications.

Read More

Dying Self-Worth In A Lesson Before Dying

777 Words | 4 Pages

Through thoughtful reflection and passionate determination, the connection of these two characters creates a heightened sense of worth that makes them a valuable and contributing part of society. Jefferson is a young, black man who is put on death row, because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He did not kill any men, yet the white jury is convinced he is guilty of all charges. During his trial, his lawyer states, “What justice would there be to take this life? Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this” (Gaines 8).

Read More

The Founding Father: Thomas Jefferson On The African Race

613 Words | 3 Pages

The founding father, Thomas Jefferson, is known for his intellect and historical impact. Credited as the lead author of the Declaration of Independence and an opposer of slavery, his views on the black race originally came as a shock to me. In “Thomas Jefferson on the African Race,” Jefferson states that in order to compare the races they must be tested in America by the white standard. In doing this, Jefferson cements whiteness as default and perpetuates an ideology that has not been overturned to this day. Thomas Jefferson claims that it would be “unfair” to examine black people in Africa and that they must be tested in America for the results to have any significance.

Read More

Essay On The Purpose Of Government

435 Words | 2 Pages

He says "The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves- in their separate, and individual capacities. " Throughout the quote, he is saying that the government isn 't meant to help its citizens maintain peace and establish justice. The reality is, is that the government plays a huge role in making our everyday lives better, which is why we are not at war everyday with another country or settling a feud between states. This furthermore supports Jefferson 's claim that a government is established to ensure peace and protect its citizens rights.

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis Of George Washington's Inaugural Address

1040 Words | 5 Pages

Intro Growing up, we have all heard the many stories of George Washington. While many recognize him as one of the most important figures in U.S history, others only recognize him by one of his multiple accomplishments; he was the 1st president of the United States. With presidency comes the variety of duties and responsibilities, the main being a president 's inaugural adress. In George Washington 's very 1st inaugural, he uses three rhetorical strategies: personification, amplification, and last but not least, repitition to convey what he truly wants for the States and why a successful Constitution should be in order.

Read More

Bill Clinton Inaugural Address Analysis

748 Words | 3 Pages

Bill Clinton is known as one of the most powerful speakers in the United States, and he impresses his audience by his speeches and the rhetorical devices that he includes in his speeches and addresses. For example, he effectively delivers his inaugural address with a convincing tone and some of the rhetorical devices such as allusions and strong diction. In his 1993 inaugural address, Clinton discussed the issues that America faced in the 20th century such as health care costs and low wages. He mentioned that these issues are not solved because America has not “made changes” and made progress to solve the conflicts and restore the economy. Because of this, Clinton knew it was important to ensure that all of the nation was behind him, and if

Read More

George W Bush Inaugural Speech Analysis

730 Words | 3 Pages

In his inaugural speech given on January 20, 2001, George W. Bush address the country for the first time after being sworn in as the 43rd president of the United States. Millions of people from around the world tuned in to watch the president give his address. The people who voted for and against him are both wanting to hear what the president has to say. George W. Bush gives an effective inaugural address by using biblical allusions, collaborative language, and an anaphora in order to unite the country after a contentious election. Bush used biblical allusions to appeal mostly to the evangelicals who were listening to his speech.

Read More

More about Thomas Jefferson First Inaugural Address Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document