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Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy had similar visions for their country as they both spoke on the future of the people. Both individuals believed in change, equality and liberty for all. Though they express these ideas differently, they both come to the conclusion of liberty and equality for all.

Abraham Lincoln with a very humble tone addresses a powerful message regarding liberty. He speaks about the lives that had been lost, but remembered for the devotion to serve their country. Though these lives had been lost, he continues to speak upon the bigger problem, equality and liberty. In the Gettysburg address, Abraham begins by mentioning what was expected of the nation. He says “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are create equal”. Lincoln speaks about this proposition in efforts to bring the people together. He wanted to show them that they didn’t have to forget those lives, they could continue fighting for them. By this, Lincoln set forth the idea of unification among the people. Towards the end of his speech, he leaves the people with an extraordinary idea. Lincoln concludes his speech by saying that “this nation, under god, shall have a new birth of freedom- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth”. In others words, Lincoln believed in setting forth a new goal, to give liberty to all the people despite the war. He put down the idea of a government founded on the idea and need of equality for the nation.

John F. Kennedy wanted to inspire his people to serve their country, he believed society would be stronger if they all worked together. But in attempt to inspire his people, he also concluded in the idea of equality and liberty for all. Kennedy said “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” In other words, Kennedy wanted the people to contribute to society in efforts to unify the people, he wanted to build a greater democracy. These lines emphasized the idea that the people needed to do good deeds for the greater good, to not sit around for change but to create the change they wanted. John F. Kennedy also said, “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.” In other words, Kennedy wanted to further the belief that the nation was strong and it needed to conquer anything that came their way in attempt to achieve their goal of liberty. He spoke on freedom, liberty, good deeds, and peace throughout his speech in efforts to help guide unification within his nation.

Though Abraham focused his speech more on the present and JFK on the future, both Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy wanted change for all, they both believed in freedom and liberty for the people. Both presidents believed that their nation would be able to undergo all catastrophic events and still achieve their way of liberty.

Comment ( 1 )

  1. Kiana Joyner
    I enjoyed reading your informal essay, I agree with you about how both presidents wanted change for everyone, that they both agreed with equality and liberty for all. I like how you mentioned John F. Kennedys speech about asking not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country because I think that's exactly what he meant when he said that.

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