Kennedy Cuban Missile Crisis Speech Analysis
Anna Verlinden/ Malik Batiste
September 15, 2013
Period 1
AP Lang/Comp
John F. Kennedy “Cuban Missile Crisis”
Summary/ Reader Response:
On October 22, 1962 John F. Kennedy delivered a speech that refers to the tensions set between the nations of the Soviet Union and the U.S. regarding the Cold War. The Soviet Union had stationed nuclear weapons on the island of Cuba so that they can launch any missile to almost any part of the western hemisphere that they desired. Kennedy, as president of the United States, ensured the security of his nation through a seven step plan. He mentions that the United States will not tolerate with any offensive threat, therefore he will take any disciplinary action if the Soviet were to attack. Yet Kennedy …show more content…
only desires for nations to be at peace, and it is through his initial steps that he hopes to achieve peace and freedom. . Kennedy has taken an action that could affect millions of people, and he certainly did an effective job to let his people know about this occurrence.
Speaker:
The speaker of the “Cuban Missile Crisis” refers to the the 35th president of the United states, John F. Kennedy. Born May 29, 1917, Kennedy gave a speech discussing the topics about the three nations Cuba, the Soviet Union, and the U.S. Within this speech, he explains how the Soviets were lying about preparing to attack the U.S. In order to secure the safety of the United States, Kennedy established a seven step plan on how we as a nation are going to deal with this crisis. Everything that President John F. Kennedy states within his speech is in fact credible. In accordance of his office, he did not need to establish an ethos. Due to the fact that he was president at that time, he was the most credible man in America. Everything that Kennedy did or said, the citizens believed. The language within this speech consists of military terms regarding things such as how the Soviets had “jet bombers”(Kennedy), “nuclear weapons”(Kennedy), or how “Americans became adjusted to living daily on the bulls-eye of Soviet missile.”(Kennedy)
Occasion:
John F. Kennedy had several reasons for giving his speech regarding the “Cuban Missile Crisis”, yet his main reason was to give American citizens awareness on what the Soviet Union was planning and his steps to ensure that the nation’s people will be safe. Kennedy didn’t want to keep the American citizens in the background behind this entire incident, because he didn’t want to hide anything from them regarding the information he has received. Kennedy quotes, “For years, both the Soviet Union and the United States, recognizing the fact, have deployed strategic nuclear weapons with great care never upsetting the precarious states.” (Kennedy) Consequently, stationing nuclear weapons in another nation gives reason for Kennedy to address his people.
Audience:
John F.
Kennedy is addressing to the community of any nation, most particularly the United States. Within his opening speech, he incorporates a greeting to his fellow citizens. He quotes, “Neither the United States of America nor the world community of nations can tolerate deliberate deception and offensive threats on the part of any nation.” (Kennedy) The threat of an attack amongst the western hemisphere could have triggered World War III which caused a great anticipation within the U.S. The author establishes pathos towards the end of the speech demonstrating repetition stating “we”. Kennedy makes it clear that “we” as a nation must strive to achieve balance between …show more content…
nations.
Purpose:
John F. Kennedy’s main purpose for writing this speech was to inform the American citizens about what is occurring within the Soviet Union and Cuba. It is also to acknowledge his people that he has and stated, “Confirmed and completed our evaluation of the evidence and our decision on a course of action.” (Kennedy) He makes the audience believe in his purpose of the speech because he states “maintained the closest surveillance of the Soviet Union military buildup on the Island of Cuba.” (Kennedy) Above all, the John F. Kennedy has managed the security of the U.S., allowing the citizens to not to worry any further.
Subject:
The “Cuban Missile Crisis” centers on the nations globally.
Kennedy demonstrates the uprisings that could have triggered World War III, such as threats from the Soviet Union, false evidence of the information, and our hemispheric security. Throughout the speech Kennedy informs his nation about this great menace, however he gets into greater depth by establishing a seven step plan and ensuring the security of his nation.
Tone:
The overall tone of the “Cuban Missile Crisis” is genuine, yet stern. The tone he is utilizing within his speech is certainly effective. It is effective because he is dealing with an entire nation, so therefore he is responsible for millions of lives. He grabs the audience’s attention with his use of tone because throughout the speech he keeps in mind that this is a serious matter and we need to take deliberate steps in order to achieve a secure nation. The author did not use any shifts in his speech, for he is straight forward and honest in a chronological order.
Text
Connections: I can relate to this text regarding the “Cuban Missile Crisis” because this reminds me of Obama giving his speech and informing his people about the Osama Bin Laden situation. The way that John F. Kennedy ensures the nation’s security in his seven step plan links to Obama’s speech regarding Bin Laden’s whereabouts and how we are going to capture him for our own safety as well. This also reminds me of the Syria bombing in Damascus. President Obama also addresses the U.S. that we are to take actions against this menace. It also relates to terrorist attacks such as when President Bush announced that the 9/11 flight that had disintegrated the twin towers in New York. The “Cuban Missile Crisis” also connects to the most recent terrorist attack in Boston. Within all of those speeches, each president stated that we will take a course of action.
Works Cited
Kennedy, John F. “Cuban Missile Crisis” American Rhetoric. Web. 14 Sep 2013.
.
Long, Jamie. “John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis: An analysis of Crisis Communication within our Nation”. World Press. 14 Sep 2013. Web. 28 April 2010.
September 15, 2013
Period 1
AP Lang/Comp
John F. Kennedy “Cuban Missile Crisis”
Summary/ Reader Response:
On October 22, 1962 John F. Kennedy delivered a speech that refers to the tensions set between the nations of the Soviet Union and the U.S. regarding the Cold War. The Soviet Union had stationed nuclear weapons on the island of Cuba so that they can launch any missile to almost any part of the western hemisphere that they desired. Kennedy, as president of the United States, ensured the security of his nation through a seven step plan. He mentions that the United States will not tolerate with any offensive threat, therefore he will take any disciplinary action if the Soviet were to attack. Yet Kennedy …show more content…
only desires for nations to be at peace, and it is through his initial steps that he hopes to achieve peace and freedom. . Kennedy has taken an action that could affect millions of people, and he certainly did an effective job to let his people know about this occurrence.
Speaker:
The speaker of the “Cuban Missile Crisis” refers to the the 35th president of the United states, John F. Kennedy. Born May 29, 1917, Kennedy gave a speech discussing the topics about the three nations Cuba, the Soviet Union, and the U.S. Within this speech, he explains how the Soviets were lying about preparing to attack the U.S. In order to secure the safety of the United States, Kennedy established a seven step plan on how we as a nation are going to deal with this crisis. Everything that President John F. Kennedy states within his speech is in fact credible. In accordance of his office, he did not need to establish an ethos. Due to the fact that he was president at that time, he was the most credible man in America. Everything that Kennedy did or said, the citizens believed. The language within this speech consists of military terms regarding things such as how the Soviets had “jet bombers”(Kennedy), “nuclear weapons”(Kennedy), or how “Americans became adjusted to living daily on the bulls-eye of Soviet missile.”(Kennedy)
Occasion:
John F. Kennedy had several reasons for giving his speech regarding the “Cuban Missile Crisis”, yet his main reason was to give American citizens awareness on what the Soviet Union was planning and his steps to ensure that the nation’s people will be safe. Kennedy didn’t want to keep the American citizens in the background behind this entire incident, because he didn’t want to hide anything from them regarding the information he has received. Kennedy quotes, “For years, both the Soviet Union and the United States, recognizing the fact, have deployed strategic nuclear weapons with great care never upsetting the precarious states.” (Kennedy) Consequently, stationing nuclear weapons in another nation gives reason for Kennedy to address his people.
Audience:
John F.
Kennedy is addressing to the community of any nation, most particularly the United States. Within his opening speech, he incorporates a greeting to his fellow citizens. He quotes, “Neither the United States of America nor the world community of nations can tolerate deliberate deception and offensive threats on the part of any nation.” (Kennedy) The threat of an attack amongst the western hemisphere could have triggered World War III which caused a great anticipation within the U.S. The author establishes pathos towards the end of the speech demonstrating repetition stating “we”. Kennedy makes it clear that “we” as a nation must strive to achieve balance between …show more content…
nations.
Purpose:
John F. Kennedy’s main purpose for writing this speech was to inform the American citizens about what is occurring within the Soviet Union and Cuba. It is also to acknowledge his people that he has and stated, “Confirmed and completed our evaluation of the evidence and our decision on a course of action.” (Kennedy) He makes the audience believe in his purpose of the speech because he states “maintained the closest surveillance of the Soviet Union military buildup on the Island of Cuba.” (Kennedy) Above all, the John F. Kennedy has managed the security of the U.S., allowing the citizens to not to worry any further.
Subject:
The “Cuban Missile Crisis” centers on the nations globally.
Kennedy demonstrates the uprisings that could have triggered World War III, such as threats from the Soviet Union, false evidence of the information, and our hemispheric security. Throughout the speech Kennedy informs his nation about this great menace, however he gets into greater depth by establishing a seven step plan and ensuring the security of his nation.
Tone:
The overall tone of the “Cuban Missile Crisis” is genuine, yet stern. The tone he is utilizing within his speech is certainly effective. It is effective because he is dealing with an entire nation, so therefore he is responsible for millions of lives. He grabs the audience’s attention with his use of tone because throughout the speech he keeps in mind that this is a serious matter and we need to take deliberate steps in order to achieve a secure nation. The author did not use any shifts in his speech, for he is straight forward and honest in a chronological order.
Text
Connections: I can relate to this text regarding the “Cuban Missile Crisis” because this reminds me of Obama giving his speech and informing his people about the Osama Bin Laden situation. The way that John F. Kennedy ensures the nation’s security in his seven step plan links to Obama’s speech regarding Bin Laden’s whereabouts and how we are going to capture him for our own safety as well. This also reminds me of the Syria bombing in Damascus. President Obama also addresses the U.S. that we are to take actions against this menace. It also relates to terrorist attacks such as when President Bush announced that the 9/11 flight that had disintegrated the twin towers in New York. The “Cuban Missile Crisis” also connects to the most recent terrorist attack in Boston. Within all of those speeches, each president stated that we will take a course of action.
Works Cited
Kennedy, John F. “Cuban Missile Crisis” American Rhetoric. Web. 14 Sep 2013.
.
Long, Jamie. “John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis: An analysis of Crisis Communication within our Nation”. World Press. 14 Sep 2013. Web. 28 April 2010.