Text Analysis - JFK's Ich bin ein Berliner Speech

1) What is the author arguing?

In his speech “Ich bin ein Berliner,” John F. Kennedy is arguing for peace in the midst of the cold war. JFK felt that freedom and peace should be experienced on an individual level. In his speech, he addressed the fact that free nations allow individuals to make their own choices. At this time in history there was much unrest due to the cold war and communists and democrats stood divided. JFK argued that the wall dividing East and West Berlin was a failure of the communist system dividing those who wished to be joined together.

2) How does the author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the writers perceived character) with their argument?

In reviewing this document JFK appeals to logos in that he states that there is no chance of achieving real peace in Europe when a fourth of all Germans are denied their right to free choice. He goes on to discuss that while freedom comes with difficulty and the democratic system is not perfect that is not sufficient reason for having the wall in place to keep the Germans from leaving.

In looking at the pathos aspect of this document it is clear that JFK’s speech has a very emotional quality. Due to the division in Germany some very unfortunate outcomes have occurred. JFK speaks of families being separated, husbands being separated from wives and those who whish to be joined together not having the free will to make that choice.

From an ethical perspective JFK is speaking about things that are important and right in a free society to contribute to the well being of all citizens. He speaks of lasting peace, individual freedom, goodwill and hope. These are all positive factors that contribute to a fair and ethical society. These ideals represent his hopes for Germany and the rest of the world.

3) What is the historical significance of this document?

This document is historically significant in that JFK’s speech was an address to the citizens of Berlin during the cold war. The Berlin wall prevented German citizens from traveling between East or West Germany. The speech was aimed at encouraging the German Democrats while standing up to communists who had East Berlin under soviet control.

4) Do you find the authors argument convincing? Why or why not?

Yes, I found JFK’s speech to be very convincing. He showed courage and assertiveness in supporting the democrats in Germany. He was very supportive of Germany and showed admiration and respect towards them. He offered them hope and encouragement. He stated “I know of no town, no city, that has been besieged for eighteen years that still lives with the vitality and the force and the hope and the determination of the city of West Berlin!” I find this to be a very convincing statement considering the trials that Germany had faced.

Text Analysis - JFK's Inaugural Address

1) In John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address he is arguing for a balance between protecting America and for peace in the world and to warn hostile regimes that America will respond. One of the tools he is purposing to use is the United Nations. There is definite an underlying threat to the communists to not take over other nations and therefore threaten the US and others in the world But there is also a call for Americans to help in the effort to promote peace in a call against, tyranny poverty disease and war.

2) JFK appeals to logos in that he notes early on how we have the power to abolish “All forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.” Throughout his address he uses comparisons to highlight friendly actions vs. hostile actions to build a logical case that supports friendly actions and not hostile actions.

From the perspective of ethos some of the things that bring out the emotion are reminders of Americans that have died in past wars and a call to “Dare not tempt them with weakness.” a clear reference to our enemies as well as Americana citizens to show that we are strong and not afraid of being bullied by other nations.

Regarding ethos JFK makes reference to god a few times throughout his address however, the clearest summary of his ethics are shown in the statement to the “peoples in the huts” showing them that we pledge to help them “not because we seek their votes, but because it is right.” He also makes a reference to the book of Isaiah from the bible to “let oppress go free” Also he ends his statement that “gods work must truly be our own.”

3) This speech is historically relevant in that since it occurred in 1961 we are in the time period during the time period of the Korean War during the cold war and also dealing with the issue of Civil rights and before what would become the peace corp. It is also during a time of increased communist influence around the globe. Basically JFK’s speech gives the feeling you are either with us or against us.

4) I find JFK’s argument very convincing because he is offering help and friendship while warning tyrants that they will not be tolerated. There is a call for correct morality in how people should be treated and how situations should be dealt with. There is also a call to be cautious with weapons that can destroy mankind that hints at although we do not wish to use them we will if forced.

The Great Depression

2. How did the self-identity of Americans change from the 1920s to the 1930s? . Based on your reading and these audio clips, describe—in your own words—how Americans experienced the Great Depression?

During the time span from the 1920’s to the 1930’s America went from thriving financially with an abundance of jobs to the depression hitting and a shortage of jobs. American families could not make ends meet. Men who were trained in skilled labor had to try to find menial tasks for little pay to make ends meet and feed their families. There were not nearly enough jobs to go around. It got to the point where a man had to have a college degree to work at the gas station.

Young men like the one in the first audio clip headed across the country looking for work. The further east they headed the worse it got to try to find work. Even in cities like Los Angeles odd jobs paid little and were hard to come by. In 1931 there were no relief programs available to Americans. Men got up at 5:00 in the morning to go and fight for work. Out of 1000 men 4 were lucky to get work for the day. Men marched to city hall and protested for work. Governor Rossi was not able to offer any help with such huge demand for housing and groceries the men became panicked and riots broke out. Police became involved and men were shot leaving them killed or wounded.

The majority of these men were fathers who had held good jobs; they were not looking for trouble they just wanted to provide for their families. As the depression progressed there were more and more men unemployed and the jobs became fewer and far between. While the depression was a huge shock to men who had held jobs and lived the American dream at one time to a young man just leaving home it was just the norm to be out of work because that was all they had known growing up.

2. How did the self-identity of Americans change from the 1920s to the 1930s?

The self-identity of American families changed greatly because they lost their pride and sense of hope. According to Larry Van Dussen in his audio clip, families had feeling of their fathers failing them and it always seemed that other families had it better. There was a sense of unease and tension that hung over American families like a dark cloud. Fathers were easily angered and irritated at having to settle for work that they were over qualified and paid little for. Children left home earlier as a result of doubts that their fathers could provide for them in hopes of making their own way somehow.

Was There A Sexual Revoloution in the 1920's?

The sexual culture in America in the 1920’s was being reinvented in many ways. Attitudes became more liberal and society as a whole more open-minded.

While some American’s were becoming much more open in their sexual expression and attitudes others abhorred the sexual emancipation that was occurring. Sexual overtones and situation became the norm in the papers, magazines and the theatre. Sexual expression became common on college campuses as women began the ritual of “dating” going out alone with a man instead of as a group a shocking social breakthrough at that time. Flappers became common and clothing became more revealing. Women began to experiment with sexual freedoms and the privileges that men freely enjoyed such as drinking, smoking and frequenting bars and nightclubs.

The changes that occurred sexually in women’s lives also spilled into other areas as women were becoming more independent economically and politically, gaining voting rights and employment opportunities. There were 30 million women working in offices by 1930. The combination of these factors brought about much greater independence for women and granted them freedoms in all areas of their lives including areas of sex, politics and economy that had not been possible up to this point in history.

Do you feel there is enough evidence to prove that there was indeed a Sexual Revolution in the 1920’s? Why or why not? Please give insight to support your argument. 

Do you view women gaining sexual, political and economical rights at that time as a negative or positive event? What were the pro’s and cons of the so called “Sexual Revolution