Tow #19 - JFK's "Ich Bin Ein Berliner" Speech

My writing and reading goals are the following:

1. Read and find a clear purpose of the text

2. Fully analyze devices used for purpose

3. Create clear argument

            In President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 speech entitled “Ich Bin Ein Berliner,” he addresses the construction of the Berlin wall; built to separate U.S.S.R. controlled East Berlin, and the U.S. controlled West Berlin. In the speech he uses the native language while speaking, and also uses repetition, in order to rally West Berlin and show that West Berlin had a faithful ally.

            Kennedy repeatedly uses German words to create an emotionally tie with his German audience because he is speaking their native language. He says phrases such as “Ich Bin Ein Berliner,” or I am a Berliner, and “Lass' sie nach Berlin kommen,” or Let them come to Berlin. Most citizens of a country to not want to answer to a foreign power because of the lack of understanding or differences of culture, but because Kennedy uses their native tongue in his speech, he can soothe the audience and let the Western Berliners know that they have an ally that understands and feels empathy to their culture.

   Kennedy also repeats these German phrases and other phrases to send a clear message to the World: Berlin must be unified under Democracy or it will surely ruin the already decaying country. Kennedy provides reasons to the Communist state of Russia and the world as he lists the reasons people should come to Berlin and witness its disparity. According to Kennedy, “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.” Kennedy systematically addresses and refutes every counter-argument supporting communism or compromise with the antistrophe, “Let them come to Berlin.” This shows his western German audience that he will not allow their new way of life to fall apart and that the U.S. will do its best as a world superpower to fight for West Berlin.

   By using these rhetorical devices Kennedy wants to assure to the Germans that they have an ally in the United States, and that the U.S. wants nothing more to help West Berlin and spread Democracy.