When John Winthrop gave a speech in 1630 aboard a ship called the Arbella,he described a “City upon a Hill”, referencing the Book of Matthew.The town or city that the Puritans would create would be a perfect example of Christianity. An example that other towns and communities would follow and because of that God would bless them. But if they were to go against the Lord or not put all of their effort into it the community it would fail. Today, John Winthrop’s “City upon a Hill” speech is often used and quoted by politicians helping to form a myth that the United States and its government are a City on Hill where everyone has equal chance and opportunity. That everyone’s voice is heard. The religious imagery associated with Winthrop’s speech
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Kennedy delivered a speech referencing Winthrop and the “City Upon a Hill”, but not with the same intentions. Instead of having a very religious perspective as it was used in the bible and John Winthrop's speech; Kennedy used it in a more political sense. In Kennedy’s speech he said “Today, the eyes of all people are truly upon us -- and our governments, in every branch, at every level -- national, state, and local -- must be as a city upon a hill”. Instead of imaging a city upon a hill in a Christian community encompassing everything holy, Kennedy imagines his “city upon a hill” to be the American government and it’s various levels. Each level being watched by onlookers and criticized. This relates back to Winthrop’s speech because their Puritan community would be criticized if it failed or even …show more content…
In his speech President Reagan described his vision of the City upon a Hill in the United States. He said “But in my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That's how I saw it, and see it still.” Reagan makes America sound like it reached its greatest point and was the “City upon a Hill’ that Winthrop was originally talking
Kennedy delivered a speech referencing Winthrop and the “City Upon a Hill”, but not with the same intentions. Instead of having a very religious perspective as it was used in the bible and John Winthrop's speech; Kennedy used it in a more political sense. In Kennedy’s speech he said “Today, the eyes of all people are truly upon us -- and our governments, in every branch, at every level -- national, state, and local -- must be as a city upon a hill”. Instead of imaging a city upon a hill in a Christian community encompassing everything holy, Kennedy imagines his “city upon a hill” to be the American government and it’s various levels. Each level being watched by onlookers and criticized. This relates back to Winthrop’s speech because their Puritan community would be criticized if it failed or even …show more content…
In his speech President Reagan described his vision of the City upon a Hill in the United States. He said “But in my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That's how I saw it, and see it still.” Reagan makes America sound like it reached its greatest point and was the “City upon a Hill’ that Winthrop was originally talking