Both also argue that when the laws of man come into conflict with the laws of God, that civil disobedience is not only justified, but is a moral obligation. Both are in the history books as two of Americas most successful revolutionaries. It is clear that Dr. King read Jefferson’s, “Declaration of Independence”, and used it as the model on which he based his arguments in “Letter from a Birmingham jail” on. These two documents are the handbook by which all civil rights leaders and revolutionaries use as the road map justify their call for equal rights upon. Between June 11th, and June 28th, of 1776 Thomas Jefferson wrote his manifesto, “The Declaration of Independence” (later enhanced by the eloquent, and skillful, changes that Bengermin Franklin and John Adams made), as a call for the American colonies to break free from English rule.
Now, people across the globe have brought the idea into their own heads. This has had a major impact on the way that they live and view life. At the beginning of the essay he says “Jefferson himself could not have imagined the reach of his call across the world in time to come when he wrote: we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (White 561). White used foreshadowing to bring the reader in and make them think about how big the impact actually is on today’s society before he later goes on to provide more examples that this had on the world.
By describing these responsibilities passed on to the new generation, Kennedy invokes the need for the people to continue to support the ideas of freedom that have made the country so successful. Doing so, he challenges Americans to “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe.” JFK presents the use of imperative sentences to help him command, implore, and entreat the Americans to do their part. This makes the nation ask themselves “what together [they] can do for
Hughes is describing America as this “great strong land of love,” which triggers readers’ emotions and makes them feel a desire to go to America in order to seek this love. Contrarily, by saying words like “let it be,” he is saying Americas has not come to the point or has strayed away from the point of love and he wants it for the future. From these two points, Hughes paints a picture of optimism and patriotism but reveals the harsh reality of America by giving the description of America as a place where “king connive… and man be crushed by ones above,” for the immigrants and the poor. This confirms that the current standard of living in America is not acceptable, and he hopes that in the future things will be different. Another example of juxtaposition shown is through man vs. environment, that is, in a society of poverty, greed and power of wealth: I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek, and finding only the same old stupid plan of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak, I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
On April 11, 1962, President John F. Kennedy addressed his nation due to the aggrandizement of steel prices the previous day. President Kennedy wants to unify his country and bring out the patriotism in his fellow Americans during a time of war and crisis, this can all be summed up in his most famous quote, "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." He adopts a disapproving tone in order to captivate his Americans. President Kennedy uses the rhetorical appeals pathos and logos, while also using a formal diction and long sentences. Kennedy begins his address to the nation with his disapproval of the "leading steel corporations" and their "unjustifiable and irresponsible"
He states that his election “symbolizes an end as well as a beginning” and “signifies renewal as well as change”. This use of antithesis portrays the gap between the younger generation of Americans and the older generation. He unites them under one goal and one purpose by using antithesis, despite their differences. This rhetorical strategy not only appeals to the audience but also informs his audience that America will be advancing forward in achieving long term accomplishments. He later then applies the rhetorical strategy of declarative.
Although, Kennedy gets his audience, Americans, engaged through antithesis, “Support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” Kennedy switched up the words in his speech to get the audience thinking positively about supporting those who want the help of the United States. Kennedy then goes to a different side of his plans; explaining that the countries that get our help will be the ones who side with the U.S. in our American ideals. Thus, supporting his purpose further by stating two opposite ideas in one antithesis statement. By Kennedy doing this, he creates a strong engagement with the U.S. citizens because his main purpose is to branch out to other countries, but at the same time he said he wouldn’t let other countries stand in the way of helping those who truly want the help. Another strong motive of Kennedy is his concern with improving America further.
President Kennedy opens his speech by establishing credibility, “For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.” He personalizes his speech in looking forward to the future while using the past as an example, adding that the same innovated views that our ancestors fought are still a concern around the globe and that our rights of man come from the hand of God, not the kindness of the state. Kennedy reminds his fellow Americans that we are the successors of the first revolt and that we must move forward as the new generation of Americans. The president emphasizes our human rights and encourages Americans to defend our freedom because it is a gift from God. Kennedy then exhorts, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” (19) President Kennedy pledges to veteran allies
Ronald Reagan’s First Inaugural Address urges Americans to recall the achievements of the American Founders, in particular their confidence in self-government and individual freedom. Against liberalism’s reliance on bureaucracy, Reagan insists that “government is the problem” and that ordinary Americans should be recognized as heroes. He allows the very setting of the Inauguration—for the first time on the west side of the Capitol, facing the monuments—to honor the Founders before his audience. For an America beset by economic woes and a vacillating foreign policy, Reagan exudes a confidence in the people exercising their freedom to revive America. He draws on the strengths of earlier inaugural addresses—including the bipartisanship of Thomas Jefferson, the resolve of Abraham Lincoln, and the confidence of Franklin Roosevelt.
The letter showed passion and anger towards the government, persuading the audience that the poor man has "equal claim to all privileges, liberties, and immunities with every [one] of his fellow countrymen…" This letter particularly stood out due to the passionate advocate for free suffrage. The essay severely challenged the government's "inequality of representation" and made sure it was clear all people of America deserved free suffrage. Overall, the American Revolution was a very proud moment in history. Not just because we started to gain natural rights but that we fought so hard for it. We did not take no for an answer, we spread the word and demanded a voice for our nation.