Introduction
There are several commonalities between Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address and John F. Kennedy’s “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You” speech. Lincoln’s address was delivered near the close of the Civil War, while Kennedy’s was given at the height of the Cold War and during the Vietnam War. Both speeches were delivered during periods of enormous national crises. The presidents made an effort to reassure the American people that they were up for the challenges that lay ahead in both speeches.
Common Themes in the Presidents’ Speeches
One way in which both speeches made an effort to do this was by highlighting the value of cooperation and group effort. Lincoln, for example, spoke of the need for Americans to come together in order to “bind up the nation’s wounds” (2). Kennedy similarly highlighted shared responsibility, saying that “the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans” who must cooperate to secure a better future for the country (3).
Another common theme in both speeches was the idea that adversity can be overcome through tenacity and resolve. Lincoln mentioned the need for “malice toward none, with charity for all,” demonstrating that it was possible to come together and move forward even in the midst of conflict and division (2). Similarly, Kennedy emphasized the importance of courage and determination, declaring, “We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship” to protect the nation’s values and way of life (4). The belief in American values is a recurring theme in presidential addresses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Lincoln and Kennedy used their inaugural speeches to remind the American people that adversity could be overcome by cooperation, tenacity, and resolve. Even if the particular difficulties each president encountered varied, the fundamental theme of hope and resiliency remained constant. As a result, both addresses are still recognized as potent illustrations of presidential rhetoric that motivated generations of Americans to bravely and resolutely take on their own issues.
Works Cited
Lincoln, Abraham: “Second Inaugural Address.” 1865. Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States from George Washington, 1789, to Richard Milhous Nixon, 1969. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1969.
Kennedy, John: “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You.” 1961. UShistory. Web.