- 03/12/2012
- Posted by: essay
- Category: Free essays
. Discuss each of the two inaugurals. Do Roosevelt and Kennedy fulfill the traditional expectations of inaugural addresses? Why or why not? Provide specific examples from each speech.
The emphasis during the elections was made on the fact that Roosevelt would use the full force of his belief in the ultimate success to calm the public opinion of the country. The inaugural ceremony was held on March 4, 1933, and after taking the oath, President Roosevelt addressed the public the speech that is recognized as the model of the best public speaking.
The most important for Roosevelt in his inaugural address was to make people believe him and to give them hope for better future that he, as the president, would try to bring them. Roosevelt appealed to voters’ “faith in America, believe in our tradition of personal responsibility, faith in our institutions, faith in ourselves.” (Senate document)
The actions of President Roosevelt “New Deal” as a whole had met these challenging requirements. That is why his New Deal is considered as one of the most successful social and political experiments that gave a strong impetus to the American public, and turned America into the leader of Western world.
As for John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his inaugural address, he was inaugurated in January 20, 1961, and there Kennedy made so important speech that all people were waiting for, with the hope for better and peaceful future. Kennedy’ speech was brief. Attention was attracted by that, in fact, he did not made any announcement about a new political course, but Kennedy presented the goals, which always touch the Republican presidents.
The main topic of the speech was not a call to work for the benefit of society, but the appeal to win the Cold War – the main motif was an alarm. “Again the trumpet summons us”, – said Kennedy, mentioned “the burden of a long twilight struggle,” “uncertain balance of terrible threats.” (Senate document)
Despite the fact that statements of Kennedy about the future were too vague, the inaugural addresses showed that the new president really intended to conduct a peaceful policy in the international arena. And later he kept his promise of inaugural addresses given to people.
2. How does Roosevelt reassure Americans that economic recovery is possible and that his leadership is up to the task?
First of all, it must be said about the conditions of election of President Roosevelt, what the expectations people had from the president: in a difficult economic crisis, the U.S. needed urgent reforms and someone who would lead the country out of crisis.
Americans believe that only Roosevelt could save them from the consequences of the Great Depression, that is why Roosevelt started by saying that: “I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our Nation impels. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly”. (Senate document)
Roosevelt asked people to believe in leadership, and believe that “This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper”. (Senate document)
Roosevelt Spoke of great unemployment that people suffered from, criticized credits and lending money, and that money made the nation suffer. So the only way to fight all the problems and difficulties Roosevelt proclaimed: “The measure of the restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit”. (Senate document)
Roosevelt in his speech mentioned all the tasks he saw for himself in the critical situation, and he promised his people: “For the trust reposed in me I will return the courage and the devotion that befit the time. I can do no less”. (Senate document)
3. Kennedy’s speech has been described by critics and historians as “militant” and “threatening”. Do you support this characterization? Why or why not?
In a number of phrases Kennedy drew attention to the need for the U.S. to take into account the changed of international situation. “Today the world is very different. Man in his mortal hands is holding force… capable of destroying all forms of human life.” – said John Kennedy. (Clarke 2004)
Then the new president urged the United States together with other countries “to re-start the search for peace.” He drew attention to the “too great burden of the cost of modern weapons,” expressed concern about “the relentless spread of the atom” and called the U.S. “not to be afraid of negotiations”. (Clarke 2004)
Kennedy also spoke that the states should lead the struggle against the common enemies of humanity: “tyranny, poverty , disease and war itself”. (Clarke 2004)
Of the 1400 words of speech 10 words express the idea of freedom – “freedom”, “free”, “will”; and the words “earth” “planet”, “peace”, “globe” are used 14 times.
4. Read one more inaugural address of your choice from Carter, Reagan (his first inaugural is in your text), George H. W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, or Obama. How does your discussion of Roosevelt’s and Kennedy’s inaugural addresses help make sense of the inaugural address you chose? Provide specific examples.
On January 20, 2009 Barack Obama formally took office as U.S. president. After taking the oath, he gave his first speech in the rank of president. The new U.S. president thanked his predecessor, George W. Bush for the service “of the American nation, as well as for assisting Obama during the transfer of power”.
After that, Barack Obama delivered his inaugural speech, which he started noting that he began as president at a time when the country is in crisis. “The fact that we are at the heart of the crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war with a vast cruelty and hatred. Our economy is weakened, which is a consequence of the greed and irresponsibility on the part of some people” – Obama said.
Barack Obama also noted that in the issue of the economy he will act decisively, fairly and quickly.
Obama, in contrast to previous speeches of the presidents of the United States, raised the issue of climate change, saying that they will fight global warming. Obama said that every American citizen was responsible for a world in which he lived, and said that during the period of his presidency, the Board would deal with these problems, although a decision would not be easy or short.
Obama gave his word to all his audience that will be another of those who want their country’s peace and stability prevailed. So in that way he continued the tradition of inaugural speeches of American presidents.
Works cited
“Inaugural addresses of the presidents of the United States: from George Washington to George W. Bush”. Senate document (United States. Congress. Senate). Washington, D.C, 1989. Web. 20 July 2010
Thurston Clarke . “Ask Not: The Inauguration of John F. Kennedy and The Speech That Changed America”. New York: Henry Holt and Co., 2004
“Inauguration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1933”. Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Web. 20 July 2010
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