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Blog #4

Posted by Deanna Stuetley on

Based on Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” and John F. Kennedy’s “Inaugural Address” the similarities and differences between the texts are vividly clear. All throughout Lincoln’s Gettysburg address he discusses his want for listeners to preserve the nation and pay tribute to those who died fighting for this country’s liberty. Nearly 100 years later Kennedy paid homage to Lincoln by going on a pilgrimage to Gettysburg where he delivered the speech known as the “Inaugural Address.” Both speeches advocated for the want to grant liberty in America by any means necessary. Kennedy paraphrased part of Lincoln’s speech by declaring that,” In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course.” Kennedy believed that achieving liberty in America was a collective effort made by the people, similar to how Lincoln believed that the state of the nation depended on its people to be preserved. The main difference between speeches is the execution. Lincoln was confident that liberty would be ensured while JFK seemed unsure but hopeful. Lincoln referred to the civil war as “unfinished work” because he saw the war as a guaranteed win, he was confident in the Union’s ability to win the war which would create a new birth of freedom in America. On the other hand, Kennedy acknowledged both possibilities of success or failure but with every stride he was willing to move mountains to reach real liberty. Kennedy proclaimed,“We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.” JFK was set on putting in the work to reach freedom while still accepting that failure might be an end result if the country’s efforts weren’t good enough. Lincoln didn’t accept failure to be an option which is evident in his fierce declarations of both freedom & victory. 

    After all the time that’s passed the United States still hasn’t fully reached the vision that both Abraham Lincoln & John F. Kennedy shared. Since the Gettysburg Address the Union did indeed win the Civil War and those lost at battle were honored both with memorials & holidays. Since the Inaugural Address this country has been successful in continuously fighting for liberty, freedom, & justice but we are still years away from changes that mirrored the longstanding success Kennedy hoped for.

 

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