Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief

Question

Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President
Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy,
fellow citizens:
We observe today not a victory of party but a
celebration of freedom—symbolizing an end
as well as a beginning—signifying renewal as
well as change. For I have sworn before you
and Almighty God the same solemn oath our
forbears1 prescribed nearly a century and
three-quarters ago.
The world is very different now. For man
holds in his mortal hands the power to
abolish all forms of human poverty and all
forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are
still at issue around the globe—the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity
of the state but from the hand of God.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth
from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new
generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered2 by war, disciplined by a hard and
bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow
[1]
1. ancestors
2. neutralized by or counterbalanced
1
undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which
we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any
burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the
success of liberty.
This much we pledge—and more.
To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful
friends. United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is
little we can do—for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.3
To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one
form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron
tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope
to find them strongly supporting their own freedom—and to remember that, in the past, those
who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass
misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is
required—not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but
because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few
who are rich.
To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge--to convert our good
words into good deeds—In a new alliance for progress—to assist free men and free
governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot
become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to
oppose aggression or subversion4 anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know
that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.
To that world assembly of sovereign5 states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age
where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our
pledge of support—to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective6—to strengthen
its shield of the new and the weak--and to enlarge the area in which its writ7 may run.
[5]
[10]
3. apart; divided
4. Subversion (noun) an act undermining the power of an authority
5. independent state
6. Invective (noun) insulting or critical language
7. authority
2
Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a
request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction
unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.
We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt
can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.
But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present
course—both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the
steady spread of the deadly atom,8 yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that
stays the hand of mankind’s final war.
So let us begin anew—remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and
sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to
negotiate.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring9 those problems which
divide us.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and
control of arms—and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute
control of all nations.
Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us
explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths and encourage
the arts and commerce.
Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah10—to “undo the
heavy burdens . . . (and) let the oppressed go free.”
And if a beachhead11 of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join
in creating a new endeavor,12 not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the
strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.
All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one
thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this
[15]
[20]
8. At the time of President Kennedy’s inauguration, many were concerned about nuclear and
atom bombs.
9. Belabor (verb) to argue excessively
10. A biblical reference to “The Book of Isaiah,” which emphasizes a message of salvation.
11. A position on a beach from where an attack can be launched.
12. Endeavor (noun) an attempt to accomplish something
3
"President Kennedy's Inaugural Address ", © 1961, . Reprinted with permission, all rights reserved.
Unless otherwise noted, this content is licensed under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license
planet. But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our
course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to
give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to
service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again—not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need—not as
a call to battle, though embattled we are—but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight
struggle, year in and year out, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation”—a struggle against the
common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and
West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending
freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I
do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other
generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our
country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do
for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can
do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same
high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only
sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love,
asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our
own.

Answer 1

This excerpt is a transcription of President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address delivered on January 20, 1961. It is considered one of the most iconic speeches in American history, encapsulating the themes of freedom, responsibility, and global unity.

Key Themes:

1. Celebration of Freedom: Kennedy emphasizes that the inauguration is not merely a party victory but a celebration of freedom, signifying both an end and a beginning, renewal and change.

2. Responsibility to Future Generations: He speaks of a new generation of Americans and the commitment to uphold the rights guaranteed by their ancestors, acknowledging the importance of passing this responsibility to future generations.

3. Commitment to Liberty: Kennedy pledges that the United States will support allies and oppose tyranny globally, highlighting that the survival of liberty is paramount.

4. Global Cooperation: The President calls for collaboration among nations to combat common challenges such as poverty, tyranny, and disease, urging for a united global effort.

5. Peaceful Negotiation: A significant part of the address focuses on the need for diplomacy and sincere negotiation to ensure that conflicts are resolved peacefully, rather than through force.

6. Call to Action: The famous concluding lines urge both Americans and citizens of the world to ask not what their country can do for them, but what they can do for their country and humanity as a whole.

7. Moral Responsibility: Kennedy speaks of a moral obligation to help those in need and uphold justice, emphasizing that a free society must care for the less fortunate.

Historic Context:

Kennedy's speech was delivered during a period of significant tension in the world, including the Cold War and the civil rights movement within the U.S. His call for a "grand and global alliance" reflected the need for international cooperation amid the competing ideologies of democracy and communism. The address is memorable for its inspirational tone and its challenge to Americans and the global community to commit to a future grounded in peace and collaboration.

Overall, Kennedy's inaugural address stands as a profound articulation of American values, responsibility, and the need for collective action in the face of global challenges, resonating with audiences even decades later.