Who is speaking?:
President John F. Kennedy is giving his well known Ich bin ein Berliner (Translation: I am a Berliner) speech, 1963.
Who is the audience?:
Directly this speech is concerning the Germans of West Berlin, yet at the same time it is also directed to all people of the world, even East Germany and other nations alike“…beyond the freedom merely of this city of Berlin and all your country of Germany, to the advance of freedom everywhere, beyond the wall, to the day of peace with justice, beyond yourselves and ourselves to all mankind.” That statement leads me to believe that this speech was not only meant for the people of Berlin to hear, but for everyone.
Who does the speaker represent?:
I believe Kennedy is representing his own political opinion, so he is representing himself. In which as he is the President of the United States, he is also representing America as a whole.
What is being said?:
Kennedy is voicing his opinion about how West Berlin needs to be sociably “aloud” back from seclusion. He is standing against communism, and he is telling the Germans that they will (in an ideal situation), no longer be held to what had happened by the hands of prior generations of Germans. “In eighteen years of peace and good faith this generation of Germans have earned the right to be free, including the right to unite their families and their nation in lasting peace with goodwill to all people.” Kennedy mentioned the Berlin wall and admitted that our democracy was not flawless, but makes a valid point that we as a government had never needed to “ …put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them from leaving us!” He is pointing out the obvious contrast of communist and democrats in this speech. The most important message I received from this text was that Kennedy was a firm believer that all men were equal, “Freedom is invincible, and when one man is enslaved, no man is free.” Kennedy is supporting West Germany in the difficult times they are enduring with East Germany.
How is it being said?:
Kennedy is speaking assertively, yet makes remarks showing the people of West Berlin that he cares and has an understanding of what position they are in. He made remarks in German to personalize his speech to the people, emphasizing that he was there to be a comfort, not a threat. “Today in a world of freedom, the proudest boast is “Ich bin ein Berliner!” Kennedy is well prepared and speaks with confidence in this speech. Kennedy was sending a message, and it was one that was easily understood.
What justification is being used to legitimize the request?:Let me first clarify that in this speech Kennedy is requesting that freedom be given to all people, and he is asking Europe to let down their guard to Germany so that all nations can grow past the point of which they are all at now “What is true to this city is true to Germany: Real lasting peace in Europe can never be assured as long as one German out of four is denied the elementary right of free men, and that is to make a free choice.” Kennedy repeatedly points out the difference between his beliefs of right and wrong when it comes to government power, and even throws in statements from other people to point out how wrong some assumptions are-“There are some who say that “Communism is the wave of the future!” Let them come to Berlin!”
What is the historical significance of this speech?:
John F. Kennedy was publically defining his opinion that each individual deserves the right to make their own decisions. He was “protesting” against the wall that divided East and West Germany, “For it is an offense not only against humanity, separating families, dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters and dividing a people who wished to be joined together!” Kennedy was aware the separation between the two sides of Germany, and he used this to make clear that the United States military and government were still strong and in charge, so to say.
How does this document’s premise or theme fit into the historical context you are reading about in your textbook?:
This document fits directly into what we read about last week. This event I would say would have been somewhere in between pages 1064-1067 along with the details about Khrushchev, and the “iron curtain”. Because these are both related to what was in the speech about the Berlin Wall and the separation of East and West Germany.
Good job on the TA. I have to agree that he was protesting against the Berlin wall. Also that he was going not just the people of Berlin but everyone in the world for you said(unless I miss understood) he invited everyone in the world to come to Berlin to check out how much better west Berlin (Democracy side) is than east Berlin (the Communist side).
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think you hit this T.A. on the nose. You cleared it up by adding the comments from JFK's speech and that helps a lot to make his point known. I agree with David in saying that he was protesting the wall and also inviting everyone to come and see for themselves how much better democracy is than communism. I would also like to say that the way he presented it was very enthusiastic and almost giddy(if a President could be considered giddy) you could tell that he was in complete commitment to what he was saying and that he would not be swayed.
ReplyDeleteGood job on your TA. Berlin was at the forefront of the Cold War and for Kennedy to come there and speak about hope and freedom was very symbolic, not just for Germany but for the world as a whole. With both the U.S. and the Soviet Union competing with eachtother not just militarily but for differing ideaologies of how to live (capitalism vs. communism) it was very important to convey confidence to the world that America was strong and supported its allies. One thing I always thought interesting, and how this speech reminds me, was how later on during the Cuban Missile Crisis one of the main concerns of the Kennedy administration was that if it attacked the Russian missile sites in Cuba that the USSR would in turn attack Berlin and West Germany in response. I think this showed the importance of West and East Germany was, and symbolic they were to the world in the Cold War struggle between the two super powers.
ReplyDeleteI think that is a great point, Jennifer. The Cold War was definitely well represented by Berlin wall. I think this is why his speech was truly symbolic. Not only was he talking to those in Berlin directly, but to the world, showing them the effects of communism.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Your TA is great, and I completely agree how JFK has a lot of fiath in Germany that they will turn things around. He did such a great job of letting people know whats going on, and letting his people know that the United States supports then 100 percent. He did his best to representth United States when he spoke to the people of West Berlin, in order for them to feel that the entire country was behind them. I believe that he uses engery and postive remarks to motivate the people to keep perservering becuase eventually they will gain peace in their country.
ReplyDeleteTerrific job, Katie!
ReplyDeleteYes, this speech was definitely intended for the addressing the growing needs of the entire world - towards peace and prosperity.
Kennedy does an excellent job of making this address quite "universal" in this respect, as he speaking to a global audience.
In my opinion, public speeches always seem to have both a direct and in-direct audience. In this speech although Kennedy was publically addressing the Germans of West Berlin, he was also communicating his message of freedom and liberty to all the citizens of the global community, as a whole.
Nice job on the TA! I liked how you used quotes from the speech to support your ideas and opinions. Kennedy does seem strong, but at the same time uses language of hope and support. I agree with Hakim's last statement about the direct and indirect audience. Although he was speaking to the people of West Berlin, his message was for all people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Great TA I believe he was speaking from the american stand point to let them understand that all that freedom is difficult" it doesn't have top be, using himself as an example , and to make them understand the importance of freedom in there country.
ReplyDelete