Compare And Contrast Four Freedom And Kennedy's Inaugural Speech

Improved Essays
The time 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” speech was delivered, John F. Kennedy's inaugural address was released in 1961. The two seminal texts were presented at critical moments in American history that formed the society now. Each speech describes their own freedom, historical context and purpose differently but effectively. Both Franklin D. Roosevelt's “Four Freedoms” speech and Kennedy’s inaugural address interprets unity. However, Roosevelt’s speech articulated the involvement of war, whereas John F. Kennedy’s speech talks about negotiation, and alliances rather than violence.

Both speakers presented their speeches at different times and events, resulting in variation between the purposes of each speech. John F. Kennedy
…show more content…
John F. Kennedy describes how violence should not solve problems, “... rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation-a struggle against the common enemies of man… war itself.” (Paragraph 23) Using the Biblical passage, he compares Paul’s letter to the Romans, as he calls the people to work together in love and mutual respect, exactly what Kennedy is interpreting. As unity starts, this creates a beachhead of cooperation and peace, besides choosing violence of war. Later, he then states “ In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. ” (Paragraph 25) Also describing unity, this statement regards to America’s responsibilities in the world. The responsibility of generations-past, present and future citizens-,having to defend freedom when in danger. Franklin D. Roosevelt however describes unity as well, “ We Americans are vitally concerned in your defense of freedom.. We are putting forth our energies... our resources…our organizing powers… to give strength...” (Paragraph 38) The repetition of “we” and “our” symbolize togetherness and unity, then describing how they are using their labor, supply and power to defend their freedom. Their responsibilities in the world are unity and protection, by using their labor and other sufficient needs. He also states “ A free nation has the right to expect full cooperation from all groups.” (Paragraph 44) The phrase translates into an example, in order to be a free nation, there must be cooperation. Cooperation, working together and getting along creates unity and results in

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    June 10, 1963 John F Kennedy did a speech to mark the detente with the soviet union during the cold war. It was written to talk call upon the soviet union to work with the United States to achieve a Nuclear test ban treaty and help relieve tension between countries. Early on JFK thought that a WWIII was gonna happen, so he began to write speeches to call out people and try and form peace with nations. The Commencement address at American University is also known as the “the Speech that Sealed JFK’s Fate”. Since the Speech is known as “the Speech that Sealed JFK’s Fate” and he ended up getting assassinated later that year.…

    • 514 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Kennedy says this to explain to his audience that rather than involving their country into the outside violence, such as wars, they can instead show kindness by helping others who are in need which can…

    • 1581 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Jefferson’s address applies the principles of the founding Americans to the occasion of a presidential election. It shows those basic principles in a sketch of the limited government. He was very big on loyalty to the Constitution and its principles. Kennedy spoke very broad on liberty, peace and democratic freedoms, and addresses his words to both Americans and people abroad. A big theme to his speech was the role of the United States as a world leader in making the liberties to other regions and countries go further on.…

    • 773 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    After watching Europe nations struggle and fall under Hitler's fascist control, President Roosevelt announced in the Four Freedoms Speech that the U.S. should take a stronger interventionist role. With that being said, he also insisted that all nations should share America's Four Freedoms. The first freedom is called Freedom of Speech. The Freedom of Speech is the right to articulate one’s opinions and ideas without fear of government…

    • 1945 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    To substantiate his pathetic goal, President Roosevelt uses multiple logical methods in his address. He focuses on how the US is strong enough to hold its own borders against the world and how it has a duty to help defend the nation’s foreign…

    • 1624 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    During the years of World War II, the United States of America was faced with the Great Depression, economic depression, domestic and foreign crisis. The 32nd president of the United States was Franklin D. Roosevelt, nicknamed “FDR”, guided the nation to recovery through a consequential time in American history, with his combination of confidence, optimism, and political background. In his twelve years of being president, FDR aided bringing the country back to a better state. In the year 1937, FDR said his “Quarantine Speech” in which he wanted isolation for the country and also in 1941, FDR delivered his State of the Union address to Congress in regards to his vision for a postwar world founded on four basic human freedoms: freedom of speech,…

    • 1041 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    To be able to inspire and help others by merely speaking is a remarkable talent. John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. inspire, motivate, and transform the lives of others through their examples and speeches. On January 20, 1961 President Kennedy gave his influential “Inaugural Address” to the nation, asking for a change. King also demands a change when he gave his “I Have A Dream” speech on August 28, 1963. The 1960’s are a controversial period not only for our nation, but for the whole world.…

    • 1030 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Kennedy's Inaugural Speech

    • 1682 Words
    • 7 Pages

    President Kennedy's inaugural speech is said to be one of the best speeches made. During his inaugural speech, he was not only talking to the people of the United States but the people of the world. He was facing numerous of issues including segregation, Cold War, and conflicts with communist countries. He did a marvelous job in telling people of the world what needs to be done and what will be done. Because John F. Kennedy speech was similar to…

    • 1682 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Both Roosevelt's “Four Freedoms” speech and Kennedy’s inaugural address are willing to fight for what is right for America however, Roosevelt’s speech in more about supporting other countries during war, whereas Kennedy’s speech is more about cooperation from other countries to have peace. In both, the “Four Freedoms” speech and the inaugural address, Roosevelt and Kennedy talk about freedom but they have a very different point of view or outlook on freedom and what is best for the country. In Roosevelt's he thinks freedom is supporting other countries in their times of crisis while Kennedy thinks freedom and peace is cooperating. Both are very alike yet, they are very different.…

    • 980 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    On January 20th, 1961, war veteran, Pulitzer prize winner, and thirty-fifth president of the United States of America, John Fitzgerald Kennedy gave his Inaugural Address. An inaugural address is a combination between a ceremony where the new president is inducted into office and their first speech to the people as president. The first speech is supposed to inform the people of their intentions as a leader of the country. Kennedy’s speech was filled with strong and poetic but also simple language with a resemblance to President Lincoln. His words followed a theme of unity and peace but also self-defense.…

    • 1940 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    It is also possible that Kennedy’s words were overly optimistic. Attempting to create peace in this world certainly seems to be an impossibility when one considers the number of conflicts and atrocities that take place throughout the world. Kennedy’s short time as president has, however, left an enduring legacy. The “Peace Speech” might not have had the enduring effects of creating an enduring optimism among Americans, but it did help to alleviate the fear that had crept into the life of many Americans’ lives. The consequences of the speech were not merely empty rhetoric.…

    • 1792 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Their speeches stress mainly about unifying the citizens as a nation and creating a “global alliance” (Kennedy). More specifically, Kennedy elaborates on his patriotism of his country to win support of his nation that positions him to create peace around the world. Meanwhile, Lincoln signifies in his “Second Inaugural Address” the responsibility as a nation to come together after a civil war. He seeks restoration in order to build “lasting peace […] with all nations” (Lincoln). Essentially, people accomplish a fraction divided, opposed to working together.…

    • 1483 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    When declaring the importance of having countries unite to conquer worldly problems, Kennedy states, “United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do” (7). This statement helps Kennedy achieve his purpose in delivering this speech because it…

    • 833 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    By addressing each group individually, President Kennedy shows that everyone is needed to bring peace and unity to the world, not just the Soviet Union. World peace is a global issue, and he knew everyone must take a part in restoring it in order to achieve it. Shortly after this anaphora, President Kennedy uses another one to emphasize his claim of unifying both hemispheres. He begins the following paragraphs with the phrase “Let both sides…” (464). Again, he uses this repetition in order to stress his claim of unity.…

    • 1172 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    To sum things up, both Roosevelt's “Four Freedoms” speech and Kennedy's inaugural address how America should be safe and how to redeem freedom, however Roosevelt's speech was about the want and need for freedom whereas Kennedy's speech is about keeping peace to earn freedom, both speeches did a very good job of explaining things and telling the people of America how they wanted peace to form in our country. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives and what's going on in our country that we forget about how important it is to keep peace with everyone else in the…

    • 827 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays