John F. Kennedy’s presidency of 1961-1963
John F. Kennedy’s presidency of 1961-1963 denoted an era noticeable by increasing tension in US-Soviet associations, culminating the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962. The era provides a synopsis of politics and culture of the Cold War. In the early 1960s, broader issues about stereotypes and myths. Thus, President Kennedy used to television and radio to announce on October 22, 1962, that the U.S. spy plane had discovered missile bases in Cuba. The missiles that were under construction, yet near completion consisted of medium-range missiles capable of striking various major US cities, including Washington D.C. The announcement was that the president ordered a naval “quarantine” of Cuba to deter Soviet ships from transporting additional offensive weapons to the island. President Kennedy explained that the U.S. would not entertain the occurrence of the missile sites in Cuba. Even though JKF’s televised speech focused on the Cuban missile crisis, the president employed rhetorical devices of pathos, ethos, and logos to appeal to the American listeners and viewers.
The televised speech presented Kennedy’s practical approach to speaking. His ethos were apparent when he spoke using a language that was suitable for all Americans and demonstrated his expertise in his presentation to the nation. He said, “My fellow citizens: let no one doubt that this is a difficult and dangerous effort which we have set out. No one can foresee precisely what course it will take or what costs or casualties will be incurred.” The above quote suggests that he could only promise America that in times of crisis, self-discipline and sacrifice lie ahead. The approach depicts his use of ethos because the public had already supported unity among themselves in times of civic services. To that end, in times of crisis, the audience prepared to ex support the president. Kennedy’s call for self-discipline and sacrifice showed his lowered status to allow the public to judge him humanly. Evidently, his speaking displayed his core values as an intelligent and meaningful president. The statement also demonstrated Kennedy’s loyalty to America by suggesting that he was peaceful in his effort to make the country a better place.
The address also displayed Kennedy’s logos in a bid to reassure Americans on pushing for peace. The reason and logic that the president presented proved that America needed change to become a better country. He employed an authoritative voice and said, “Neither the United States of America nor the world community of nations can tolerate deliberate deception nor offensive threats on the part of any nation, large or small.” Here, Kennedy saw logic in the importance of international affairs. His desire to lead America as determined and firm in the issue was evident. Thus, Kennedy’s statement is accurate because it is reasonable to take the necessary actions to limit threats to the country. Kennedy correctly applied logos to anchor his desire to appeal to the values of responsibility and maturity that his administration championed for and cherished.
Finally, the address employed emotional appeal to persuade his audience to become involved in promoting peace. He said, “The 1930s taught us a clear lesson: aggressive conduct if allowed to go unchecked and unchallenged ultimately leads to war.” The statement shows that the president wanted Americans to acknowledge that if the country stood by and watched the construction of missile in Cuba without intervention, America would be walking to the path of war. Of course, Americans would want to see the president act rather than sit back and lead them to fight. That line in the speech encouraged Americans to support his endeavor of challenging Soviet Union to promote peace. He used words like “Our unswerving objective” and “We are also true to our word” to make his audience feel the positive impacts of American intervention. Overall, those persuasive emotional appeals were urgent in drawing concern from everyone about the missile.
Conclusively, Kennedy used logos, pathos, and ethos effectively in his Cuban Missile Crisis televised address. The robust use of rhetorical strategies came together in harmony to establish success in the promotion of peace. Thus, any audience that listened to the speech could make a connection with the crisis and “feel” the president’s concerns. Kennedy skillfully engaged the listeners and viewers that could tell the magnitude of the mess that the missile could cost if America did not take action.