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John F Kennedy City Upon A Hill Speech Analysis

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John F. Kennedy was known for his charming, charismatic, and relatable personality which significantly attributed to him winning the presidency in 1960. These admirable characteristics of his were easily seen in his speeches as U.S. senator and as president, in which it was apparent he not only had the charm, but also incorporated his personal values into his administration as a public servent. One speech in particular which highlights this fact is his “City Upon a Hill” speech. John F. Kennedy’s “City Upon a Hill” speech was given on Jan. 9th 1961 as his final speech prior to being sworn in as president, which he delivered to the general court of Massachusetts. In this speech, Kennedy compared the impending challenges of his presidency to the troubles facing the first Puritan settlers of Massachusetts in the 1600's in John Winthrop’s original “city upon a hill” speech. In the original sermon, Winthrop delivered this speech to the puritans aboard the Arbella, before they disembarked in Massachusetts. …show more content…

He begins his speech by acknowledging the significance and importance of the state of Massachusetts to the history and development of this country, stating “Its leaders have shaped our destiny long before the great republic was born. Its principles have guided our footsteps in times of crisis as well as in times of calm”. Kennedy goes on to argue that “Today the eyes of all people are truly upon us—and our governments, in every branch, at every level, national, state and local, must be as a city upon a hill—constructed and inhabited by men aware of their great trust and their great responsibilities”. With with the eyes of the world watching us for example and guidance in the new era of war, technology, and globalization, the U.S. needed to be governed by a higher standard, as they are looked at as the standard to strive

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