Significant Speeches in American History: From Lincoln to Bush - Prof. Jeremy Rogerson, Exams of Communication

Download Significant Speeches in American History: From Lincoln to Bush - Prof. Jeremy Rogerson and more Exams Communication in PDF only on Docsity! American Oratory Exam III Self-Notes Civil War F. Douglas, “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?”  Context ◦ Previously a slave, fled and bought his own freedom. Very intelligent factors considered. ◦ Worked in assisting slaves out of slavery (underground railroad, advocacy, etc) ◦ Antislavery was becoming more popular in the North ◦ Asked to speak in Rochester, NY  Argument ◦ 4th of July means nothing to a slave ◦ Slavery is a sin against god ◦ US is unrivaled in its oppression in enslavement and repression of people  Audience ◦ Leading citizens of Rochester, NY ◦ Northerners  Notables ◦ Identifies as “we” meaning blacks/slaves, and you/your as free Americans ◦ Excellent use of language, revealing intelligence ◦ Explains hypocrisy of slavery and constitution, slave is counted as a man but isn't treated as such ◦ References to religion A. Lincoln, “A House Divided” –RK 396  Context ◦ Stephen Douglas is the leading democrat ◦ Lincoln needs to assert himself as a leading candidate ◦ Dred Scott has recently been ruled ◦ Missouri Compromise was deemed unconstitutional  Audience ◦ Democrats, Republicans ◦ At republican national convention ◦ Members of Congress  Argument ◦ Explains unusual coincidences on M.C. ruling, election outcomes/timing, dred scott ruling happening at perfect times to take a blow at antislavery ◦ Nothing is changing ◦ Douglas has a poor argument with his appeal for popular sovereignty ◦ Explains how Dred Scott case was a poor ruling A. Lincoln, “Cooper Union Address” –RK 426  Context ◦ Lincoln wasn't the republican nominee YET ◦ Harper's ferry raid had occurred, involving John Brown ◦ Lincoln needed to sound antislavery enough for the North votes, while keeping the slavery riddled South on his side as well  Audience ◦ Democrats (namely Senator Douglas) ◦ The President ◦ Republicans ◦ Voters, although less directly than those above  Argument ◦ Majority of the founding fathers agreed that the federal government COULD forbid slavery in territories, uses voting in congress as evidence ◦ Supreme Court was incorrect in decision about slavery in territories being expressed explicitly in constitution ◦ Democrats aren't conservatives and are making slanderous claims about republicans pertaining to harpers ferry. Also making“rule or ruin” gov. statements ◦ Republicans – lets the confederacy be at peace with one another  Notables ◦ Repetitive use of “our fathers who framed the gov. under which we live” ◦ Speech was extremely well received ◦ Considered speech that got Lincoln elected pres. ◦ One of Lincolns longest speeches (i.e. Gettysburg Ad) T. Stevens & H. J. Raymond, “Congressional Debate” RK463  Context ◦ Lincoln had been assassinated, South was largely destroyed from losing the Civil War ◦ Committee created in congress to debate whether states were readmitted into Union ◦ Stevens was old and seniority gave him leadership role, response below was response to “Proclamation of Amnesty”. ◦ Raymond held considerable ethos from republicans for loyalty.  Audience ◦ Congress, namely congressional committee in charge of determining re-admittance ◦ President, in-direct  Arguments World War II F. D. Roosevelt, “The Arsenal of Democracy”  Context ◦ Americans had isolation sentiment ◦ European ally nations struggled to maintain freedom ◦ Peacetime draft instituted earlier ◦ Economic problems  Audience ◦ Americans ◦ Factory workers, owners, businesses. Anyone who could aid in supplies production ◦ International audience  Arguments ◦ Nazis have already said they'd attack anyone who threatened their type of government ◦ European Ally nations need our supplies, no American army shall be sent to Europe ◦ Need to increase armaments, convert factories to make armaments  Notables ◦ It's on the radio dawwwg ◦ Broadcast in six different languages F. D. Roosevelt, “War Message”  Context ◦ Attack at Pearl Harbor had occurred ◦ Japan was deceiving US with talks of peace  Audience ◦ Congress ◦ America ◦ Japan ◦ World, although more intended for a national audience  Arguments ◦ Declare war ◦ We will win  Notables ◦ “a date which we will live in infamy” H. S. Truman, “The Truman Doctrine”  Context ◦ USSR continued to occupy parts of Western Europe ◦ Fortold that he would ask for $400 million in aid to Turkey and Greece  Audience ◦ Congress ◦ USSR (indirectly) ◦ Greece ◦ Turkey ◦ World, although only very partly  Arguments ◦ Send financial aid to Greece, send financial aid to Turkey, send soldiers to Greece (prolly moreso for protection than what he says “helping reconstruction” ◦ USSR should remove their occupation from other countries (indirectly) ◦ No one should attack Turkey/Greece, we've got their backs (indirectly)  Notables ◦ Attempts to show America is the leader of the free world Cold War J. Kennedy, “Ich Bin ein Berliner”  Context ◦ Kennedy had extended an offer of peace to the Soviet Union earlier ◦ Berlin wall had become a symbol of the USSR, splitting East and West Berlin  Audience ◦ West Berlin ◦ USSR  Arguments ◦ Wall is an offense against humanity ◦ West Berlin is an example of lasting peace without communism...(i think...) ◦ Germans have earned the right to live in lasting peace ◦ No one is free unless everyone is free  Notables ◦ Kennedy DID say he was a jelly donut, but Berliners understood what he meant ◦ Extremely well received. West Berlin loved Kennedy and his speech D. Eisenhower, “Atoms for Peace”  Conext ◦ Threat of nuclear war/destruction was looming as USSR/US grew nuclear armaments ◦ Americans were in the dark about the dangers of nuclear war  Audience ◦ United Nations ◦ Americans ◦ USSR ◦ World (more intended for above)  Arguments ◦ Nuclear weapons are more powerful that all the bombs used in WWII ◦ Possession of N.weapons does not defend, more nations will soon learn how to make N.weapons ◦ Nations can't really defend against N.weapons ◦ Wishing to meet with Nuclear nations to reach an agreement on disarmament ◦ Set up Atomic Energy Agency to use Nuclear technology for good, controlled by UN  Notables ◦ Well received. Even some Soviets applauded him. ◦ Atoms for Peace was one of Eisenhower's greater accomplishments during presidency ◦ Talks of peaceful nature of United States instead of saying they'd react with nuclear weapons if attacked R. Reagan, “Speech at the Brandenberg Gate”  Context ◦ 750th anniversary of Berlin ◦ Wall still divided Berlin ◦ Tear down this wall was debated, some writers and even Colin Powell said it was too aggressive and unpresident-like. Reagen liked it.  Audience ◦ East/West Berliners ◦ USSR  Arguments ◦ East Berlin is thriving city ◦ NATO is working to reduce nuclear armaments through talks ◦ Combine East/West Berlin ◦ US wishes to work with USSR  Notables ◦ “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Vietnam War L. Johnson, “Address on Not Seeking Reelection”  Context ◦ Was ushered into office after Kennedy's assassination ◦ Vietnam war wasn't going well, increased protest and civil disobedience in America ◦ Approval rating was 36% ◦ Nearly lost his party's nomination