Comparative Essay Sample: Roosevelt´s Four Freedoms Speech And Kennedy's Inaugural Address

The honorary duty of the president of the United States is to ensure civil liberties for the people and lead the country with grace and dignity. Even in times of discord and warfare, the president’s job is to remain calm and organized. For example, in 1941, WWII had begun and at the time, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected and he upheld his duty of leadership as he gave the people of the United States his famous "Four Freedoms'' speech to warn them that the world was threatened by German tyranny and he would not stand for it. Twenty years later, in 1961, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s Inaugural Address would also set an example of presidential leadership done with nobility. It was during this time that the Soviet Union started stockpiling nuclear armament and its tension with America was at a high point. When President John F. Kennedy delivered his Inaugural Address, he promised all citizens that he would do his best as their leader. Both Roosevelt’s "Four Freedoms" speech and Kennedy’s Inaugural Address discussed freedom around the world and the United States’ role in protecting it by being a protective ally to all democracies. However, Roosevelt’s speech had a more serious tone as it focused mainly on increasing military strength in the U.S, whereas Kennedy’s speech addressed the negotiation of peace with a hopeful and optimistic attitude.

In his "Four Freedoms" speech, Roosevelt speaks sternly to the American people while they’re in a time of crisis and offers his solutions and ideas to help. The main purpose of his speech was to inform people about his foreign policy and his call to action once the German occupation of democratic countries started. To start off the speech, he began talking about his foreign policy and how he did not wish for the United States to be isolated, preferring instead that America's role would be protecting other countries. Roosevelt said that Americans were extremely worried about other countries’ defense of liberty and that the United States would send forth their materials, energies, and power to keep democracy (38). He wanted to be compassionate to those democracies in need. His call to action was also favorable to those in trouble, as he said he wanted to build up weapons supply within his own country. A stockpile of more weapons meant more militaristic power to defend not only America itself, but others in need as well. For this message to resonate with people, Roosevelt made sure to use rhetorical devices. He used repetition when he repeated many phrases and used allusions when he alluded to past wars and American history to really impact the spectators of his words. Using both of these really made people remember his speech as one of the most famous speeches and, furthermore, what made people remember Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s leadership.

In his Inaugural Address speech, Kennedy, on the other hand, gently yet confidently declares his own views on what should be done during his time as President of the United States. His purpose was mainly to inform the American people about his own foreign policy, but unlike Roosevelt, Kennedy also wanted to persuade his audience. He wanted to convince citizens of the United States to help contribute to their country however they could. He also reassured the people that his foreign policy was not just to do right by them, but other countries as well. Kennedy’s foreign policy said that the United States was to protect other democratic countries. His whole idea of leadership was to take action and protect, but his overall call to action was to try to be as peaceful as possible. To convey his message and desire for harmony, Kennedy used many rhetorical devices in his speech. He spoke fluently as he used anaphora and alliteration. But what stuck the most with his audience was probably the way he used pathos all throughout to make them feel an emotional reaction. For example, Kennedy used loaded language when he said,  "The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it . . ." (25). This excerpt of his words essentially shows how he appeals to emotion because his word choices are so decorative and eloquent. He uses words like "faith" and "devotion" to get a reaction from the people he’s trying to talk to. These words appealed to his American audience so much because they were patriotic people who believed in helping preserve liberty. Techniques like this, as well as his ideal role for America to play and his call to action, effectively reached America and helped to distinguish his speech and presidency.

Though Roosevelt’s "Four Freedoms" speech and Kennedy’s Inaugural Address have many differences, the speeches actually share similar values about freedom, similar foreign policies, and even the same rhetoric and purpose. In both speeches, both presidents would agree that freedom is a natural right belonging to people everywhere. They would also agree that America should protect other countries by defending their freedom, whether by force or by attempting something close to world peace. They both used rhetorical devices to leave a long-lasting impression. In both of the speeches, they used logos, ethos, and pathos at least once. Finally, the similarity between the two speeches is the purpose. Both men had the same purpose of informing people about wartime and tough times. With all these similarities, the idea of history repeating itself holds true. Roosevelt may not have intentionally influenced Kennedy, but it is true to say he set an example for him. As did Kennedy with his speech to all presidents after him, too.

To conclude, Roosevelt’s "Four Freedoms" speech addressed the nation with a more somber inflection as he talked about his opinion that advanced munitions while on the other hand, Kennedy’s Inaugural Address revealed a more positive and hopeful outlook on global pacification. Both speeches, however, did share a common theme as both Presidents revealed how freedom belonged to people everywhere and that the United States was going to be a protector to all democracies by being a friend to them. America has come a long way since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, yet the honorary duty of the president of the United States remains the same, and current day presidents work to uphold this duty just as they so expertly did.