Free JFK's Inaugural Speech Essay Sample

President John F Kennedy is widely regarded as one of the most popular American President's of all time. The United States underwent major changes under JFK's regime, with the most important changes being related to Civil Rights, and also tackled some tough global issues such as the Cuban missile crisis with aplomb. However, before all this, JKF actually had quite a hard time during the Presidential elections. In fact, the victory that JFK experienced was one of the closest ever in the US presidential race. Yet, the President was determined to start off on a high note, and win the US public's hurt once and for all. Thankfully, JFK knew his way around words, and the very first speech he made after being elected as President went a long way in bringing the public to his side. In fact, such was the effect of his first speech that the very next day after being elected as President, JFK already had a 75% approval rating from the public. However, while JFK certainly knew how to speak, it were his speeches, and their simplicity that actually won the hearts of the mass public. Therefore, it is also important to credit his speech writer, Ted Sorensen in this regard. Kennedy talked about the future while keeping the past in mind, and this was a theme that continued throughout his speech.
The inaugural address of the JFK had strong emotions behind it, persuading the US public to become united. The speech's motivational tone can be credited to the use of strong verbs that stir emotions, combined with the sophisticated use of adjectives to help maintain the persuasive rhythm. Kennedy began his speech by referring to his victory, stating that "a celebration of freedom-symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning. The statement was aimed at gathering the attention of everybody that was present at the time, hinting that the JFK's election as president was the beginning of a new era, where the turmoil would end and people would benefit from an extended period of prosperity. JFK was determined to appeal to the ethos of the public, and he managed to do this by stressing on American freedom and values. Kennedy wanted to unite his people, laying especial emphasis on parallelism, which again, he managed to do successfully by sighting the tyranny of man and people's reliance for freedom on God. The president used the word "to" to refer to the people he was addressing. In addition, the stress on America's unification not only within itself, but with the wider world too, was highlighted by the use of "Let both sides". As his speech began to gather pace, Kennedy mentioned what he believed America was capable of, stating “Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.” The President believed that both his election as the leader of the US and the unification of the public were strong enough to help America accomplish great feats. Not only that, but Kennedy also kept highlighting the importance of unification on a global scale. The President stated that the US's allies could help make the world a much better place. Yet, he also mentioned that when divided, there was little that could be done. There is a strong use of Antithesis throughout the speech where Kennedy keeps mentioning two opposing ideas. Yet, Kennedy was also quick to mention that while he was a great advocator of peace and that war only brought trouble upon the world, the US was more than capable to deal with threats. This is again where the President used Antithesis, stating "Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us". Here, the JKF shows humility, knowing that the US alone was enough to solve issues. The President knew that outside help was a must, and he tried his best to appeal to the wider world. The use of short paragraphs, sometimes not longer than a single sentence helped kept the audience's attention to the max, so that every word that was spoken was taken in.
Concluding his speech, JFK again stressed on the importance of global unification, and this was where the former president spoke some of his most famous words. Kennedy said "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country". And again, "My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
John F Kennedy's inaugural speech was one of the greatest speeches ever made. The speech appealed to the mass public by laying stress on the principles of unity and freedom. The use of simple words and examples all combined to make Kennedy's inaugural speech not only a symbol of world peace, but also Kennedy's intention to start anew.