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Why Did Kennedy Decide To Go To The Moon

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On May 25, 1961 President John F. Kennedy announced to the world an ambitious space program that the United States would accomplish within the decade. The program called for multiple weather satellites, a rover nuclear rocket, and of course the mission to put astronauts on the moon. Kennedy proclaimed to a crowd of over 35,000 people and millions more at home, “We choose to go to the Moon! ... We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win (Kennedy 5).” Kennedy understood that the Soviets had proven to have more advanced technology and were ahead in the space race. The plans that Kennedy called for in his speech were intended to show the world, specifically the Soviet Union, what the United States was capable of technologically. Kennedy’s words also inspired countless Americans and renewed hope and patriotism in the ongoing Cold …show more content…

The moon landing represented a major victory over the Soviet Union for the United States during a troubling time. For many, the moon landing is the United States’ greatest achievement. Steven Dick, NASA's chief historian, considers the moon landing to be the crowning achievement of the 20th century and goes on to say that "Putting a man on the moon not only inspired the nation, but also the world" (Roach 1). It is apparent that the moon landing was more than just an accomplishment for the United States in Neil Armstrong’s famous quote, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind” (Dunbar 4). Armstrong does not single out one nationality, race, or ethnicity; rather he states that the moon landing was an achievement for mankind as a

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Even though the seven astronauts did not make it to the moon, Reagan gives them credit as if they took footsteps outside earth. Reagan’s diction created a melancholic tone showing his empathy for their bravery and optimistic tone that turns the tragedy into something more than a disaster. “They wished to serve, and they did. They served all of us” (3). Reagan composes the seven astronauts are known for trying the journey and not for the tragedy.

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The Race to Space served as an ample distraction for the United States during this time, which led citizens to gather to the cause. Along with being the youngest elected president, Kennedy was president during a time of tremendously high tension from Cuba, Communist pressure, nuclear coercions, and Vietnam. Kennedy alludes to the atrocities of the world, and tempts the audience to further space exploration as he states, “Whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war” (Kennedy). He casually references about the tensions the United States had with other countries;

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Later that night President Ronald Reagan came on air to give the State of the Union address and talk on the tragedy that had just unfolded. Through this speech President Reagan consoles the families of those who lost their lives, the American schoolchildren, and the American public as a whole. He also gives this speech to reassure America of the viability of the NASA program and the light in the future. By the use of rhetorical skill, including analogy, strong emotional appeals, and his position of power, President Reagan manages to convince America that despite the tragedy the benefits of keeping a space exploration program greatly outweigh the losses.

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J.F Kennedy, the president of United States wanted to put the first Americans to the moon-America exploring the moon, so he directed his speech to the people of taxes and Rice University to promote his space exploration program that will help America to be the first country to explore the moon. He believes that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. Throughout J.F Kennedy's speech, the speaker makes effective use of evidence, reasoning, rhetorical elements, and rhetorical devices that together form his argument to gain people support for his space exploration program. J.F Kennedy was trying to prove his point of view by giving examples and using a lot of Rhetorical devices and appeals that would grab the reader's attention

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915 Words | 4 Pages

(Dennis 714) By giving the members of the space shuttle crew recognition as “pioneers”, the speech had a smooth transition from its nature as sincere eulogy into a rhetorical work with a deliberative occasion. As soon as audience received a message implying that Challenger was a beginning instead of an end and how discovery has its risk, Ronald Reagan was in a good position to elaborate his objectives on the space program. Considering its effectiveness, the transition between the bad news and the new hope is one of the greatest features of the speech. This transition is crucial to connect two parts of the speech that are equally important.

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On January 28th, 1986, Ronald Reagan, the president of the United States at the time, in his speech, entitled “Challenger Disaster,” addressed the Challenger Disaster. He supported this claim by first mourning over the tragedy, then he promoted NASA, also he tried to make sense of this calamity, and finally he informed the audience that the seven astronauts will never be forgotten and as a country we will be forever thankful for their service. Through Reagan’s use of tone, rhetorical analysis, and rhetorical tools he effectively persuaded America to mourn and appreciate the lives of the seven astronauts loss and to convince American people to continue their support for NASA and move forward as a country. Reagan unified America with his supportive

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(Dennis 714) By giving the members of the space shuttle crew a recognition as “pioneers”, the speech was poised for a smooth transition from its nature as sincere eulogy into a rhetorical work with a deliberative occasion. As soon as audience received a message implying that Challenger was a beginning instead of an end and how discovery has its risk, Ronald Reagan was in a good position to elaborate his objectives on the space program. Surely, the transition between the bad news and the new hope is one of the greatest features of the speech.

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Another one of Kennedy's influential accomplishments was getting a man on the moon. According to A New Frontier Kennedy made many speeches that committed America, which was falling behind in the space race, to the cause of getting a man on the moon. He also added 7-9 billion dollars to funding the expedition. Furthermore Kennedy inspired many of his fellow Americans behind his cause and influenced many people to join him. By doing all of these acts Kennedy not only help get a man on the moon, but he also restored American prestige across the

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The moon landing was one of the most iconic moments in history. Viewers stood on their toes until the very moment that Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon, and they stayed there until Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin landed on American soil again. Authors The Times, William Safire, and Ayn Rand speak on the moon landing soon after the mission was accomplished. In the morning after America successfully landed the first aircraft on the moon, The Times published an article about the moon landing.

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Kennedy starts off by telling us how the world and freedom is in major danger, being close to a nuclear war, telling us that it has the power to end the human species (3). The next point made is that we should “... never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate” (Kennedy 15). This means that we should negotiate to make a means with that someone not because we have to negotiate to stay safe from that someone. Kennedy then says that the goal would to have the world work together to explore problems, have a common arm control and be equal in weaponry power, and work together to unlock new sciences (16-18).

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1300 Words | 6 Pages

As time progresses, people notice the issues and the limitations of the government and with their power as citizens, they make an attempt to create a better government meeting their political ideals. But what happens when that right that is established in the constitution is suddenly revoked and people no longer have a say? 1984, written by George Orwell and released in 1949, tells the story of a man, Winston Smith, who starts questioning the totalitarian system enforced in his country, Oceania. Throughout the story Winston becomes more rebellious and curious of society before the rise of the current system. He continues this dangerous pursuit until he gets caught and eventually is convinced to love the system in his final moments.

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Was the NASA Moon Landing of 1969 Real or Fake? In 1969, all of America watched as NASA sent the first manned ship into space and to the moon. Hundreds of people gathered around the launch station and thousands watched the live broadcasting on the news. As the countdown reached 0, the rocket with Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldron and Tim Collins flew to space and America gave a sigh of relief. Now it was time to watch as Neil Armstrong took the first steps on the moon to plant the American flag on the moon symbolizing our victory in the notorious “Space Race” with the Soviet Union.

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President Kennedy’s moon speech at Rice University came at a time of high uncertainty regarding technology and the threat of war. Kennedy’s emotive speech aimed to lift and inspire those who feared the worst and to encourage the population to grow and achieve their greatest potential. The ‘moon speech’ will be analysed by uncovering key components of the speech that created a lasting impression on the authors of this report. It is important to firstly explore and identify the traits and attributes of leadership exhibited by President Kennedy in this speech. Additionally, a discussion amongst group members will be necessary to ascertain how and why this speech was inspiring, and whether this speech could be considered as the greatest speech

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The use of ethos shows how credible and reliable Kennedy is as he utilizes his position and knowledge as president to reassure the nation that space exploration is possible. Kairos was also an effective strategy for Kennedy, since he knew of the accomplishments of the Soviet Union years prior, and in turn took advantage of the current state of America in the space race. JFK’s moon speech was very important because it was given at time where the American people were uncertain in their position as a national powerhouse, and Kennedy brought forth and set the expectations that needed to be met, especially when it came to the space race, in order to fulfill America’s legacy of being

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It was the “official” start of the era of new technology. Ethos is showed when JFK is looked at by the audience as one of the best liked U.S. presidents. He could handle many situations in the past, like the Cuban Missile Crisis. John F. Kennedy was trying to introduce new technologies to the United States and that speech delivered just what he wanted. President John F Kennedy was addressing the public from Rice University to get funding for NASA and the space program.

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