Read the speech.

Question

“Ich bin ein Berliner”

by John F. Kennedy

Schöneberger Rathaus, West Berlin, July 1963

Two thousand years ago, two thousand years ago, the proudest boast was "civis Romanus sum." Today, in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is "Ich bin ein Berliner." (I appreciate my interpreter translating my German.)

There are many people in the world who really don't understand, or say they don't, what is the great issue between the free world and the Communist world.

Let them come to Berlin.

There are some who say that communism is the wave of the future.

Let them come to Berlin.

And there are some who say, in Europe and elsewhere, we can work with the Communists.

Let them come to Berlin.

And there are even a few who say that it is true that communism is an evil system, but it permits us to make economic progress.

Lass' sie nach Berlin kommen. Let them come to Berlin.

Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect. But we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in—to prevent them from leaving us….While the wall is the most obvious and vivid demonstration of the failures of the Communist system—for all the world to see—we take no satisfaction in it; for it is, as your Mayor has said, an offense not only against history but an offense against humanity, separating families, dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters, and dividing a people who wish to be joined together.

What is true of this city is true of Germany: real, lasting peace in Europe can never be assured as long as one German out of four is denied the elementary right of free men, and that is to make a free choice. In 18 years of peace and good faith, this generation of Germans has earned the right to be free, including the right to unite their families and their nation in lasting peace, with good will to all people….

Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free. When all are free, then we can look forward to that day when this city will be joined as one and this country and this great Continent of Europe in a peaceful and hopeful globe. When that day finally comes, as it will, the people of West Berlin can take sober satisfaction in the fact that they were in the front lines for almost two decades.

All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin.

And, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words "Ich bin ein Berliner."

Part A

What argument does Kennedy make in his “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech?

Responses

Democracy is the only system that guarantees prosperity to all Germans.
Democracy is the only system that guarantees prosperity to all Germans.

Communism must be altered to allow more individual freedom for Germans.
Communism must be altered to allow more individual freedom for Germans.

Democracy can exist alongside communism in Germany because it is an accepting system.
Democracy can exist alongside communism in Germany because it is an accepting system.

Many Germans have suffered under communism.

Answer 1

The argument that Kennedy makes in his “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech is:

Many Germans have suffered under communism.

In his speech, Kennedy emphasizes the harsh realities of life under communism, particularly in Berlin, where the Berlin Wall symbolizes the division and oppression that people faced. He speaks about the rights and freedoms that are denied to a significant portion of the German population and highlights the moral issues associated with communism, making it clear that he stands in solidarity with those who yearn for freedom.