Rhetorical Strategies In Ulysses's Inaugural Speech

Ulysses S. Grant delivers his inaugural speech while America still battles with the issues brought on by the Civil War. The American Civil War tore the nation in two, leaving behind a detached set of people who needed a leader in order to regain their nation’s unified greatness. In this speech, he uses rhetorical strategies to reassure the audience, the entirety of the United States of America, that he is that great leader who will work to the best of his ability to unite the North and South once again. He does this by trying to establish credibility with the audience, alluding to the Civil War, and using a determined tone.
Ulysses’ entire first two paragraphs are him trying to establishing credibility with the American People. Phrases like “I have taken this oath without mental reservation and with the determination to do to the best of my ability all that is required of me.” and “I bring to it a conscious desire and determination to fill it to the best of my ability to the satisfaction of the people.” show obvious appeal to credibility. He is notifying everybody what he can and what he will try to accomplish as President of the United States. He is attempting to establish himself as a reliable and determined leader, because that
The use of appeal to credibility, allusions, and tone of speech are all used together to assure the American people of what Ulysses is able to do for them. He is telling them that after all they’ve been through, there is someone determined and committed enough to lead them and unite them. Ulysses is just that person. As a General of the Civil War, he has seen firsthand the effects the war had on the people and the nation. He is more determined than anyone in fixing his country. As President he has even more power and he’s telling the people of the U.S. that he will use his newfound powers to the best of his ability to