The Rhetorical Analysis Of Theodore Roosevelt's The Strenuous Life

Theodore Roosevelt’s speech “National Duties” calls for nationalism and unity, as it says that each individual must work hard and that individuals must work together. Furthermore, it works to motivate our nation by using two ideas – what a nation may leave behind and how a nation should conduct itself. The speech itself, although given while he was Vice President, accurately describes what his actions as president were, whether it be regarding nationalism, personal matters, or foreign diplomacy. His ideology of how a nation should act, seen in the phrase “speaking softly and carrying a big stick” works to motivate many, including our current military, because it focuses on civility backed with power. This idea of leadership style, combined with looking at what Theodore Roosevelt did during his presidency, is very similar to Trump’s way of leading our nation, although they came into office with different political experience.

Before building the canal, the US had to aid Panama and liberate it from Colombia’s rule. The United States proved to be too big of a power for Colombia to go against so they easily handed over Panama. Although Theodore Roosevelt’s diplomacy seemed very militaristic and strict, he was a man of peace. His influence went as far as helping end the war between the Russians and Japanese. Another action that was taken was the updates that Theodore Roosevelt had for the Monroe Doctrine.

Jane Addams, the speaker in Document 4, criticized the Spanish-American War and the militarism it encouraged in the United States. This gave many people the idea that maybe imperialism wasn’t such a great idea. They shunned the idea of using violence in order to grow the American Empire. William Graham Sumner, also criticized imperialism (Document 2). He believed that assimilating people to American culture through military force would cause the United States to seem violent like Spain.

• Roosevelt Purpose: to strengthen commitment, to induce specific actions As the first purpose, Roosevelt wanted to reform the financial system while avoiding the possible attack from financial institution by degrading their credibility. He claimed that bankers and brokers were responsible for the Depression and he utilized scapegoat technique to do so. (Ryan 141) He used causal inference for reasoning by saying, “Primarily, this is because the rulers of the exchange of mankind's goods have failed, through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence, have admitted their failure and have abdicated.” This causal inference provided an explanation of what caused the Depression. As the second purpose, Roosevelt urged the people to strengthen their commitment in supporting his plans. He used military metaphor such as

oosevelt uses many rhetorical devices to make the audience trust him. He uses Ethos to make them feel like they are equal even though he has a substantial amount of power over them. He uses Pathos to tell about emotions that could be present in the state that the nation was in the Great Depression. The President uses logos to tell the hard truth to the American people and he tells them the truth. Franklin Delano Roosevelt uses ethos, pathos, and logos to strengthen his message of hope for America.

Throughout time diverse regions have considered other societies to be barbaric, causing them to have the desire of “civilizing” them. Likewise, During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the American nativist groups, possessed a similar perspective towards immigration. Nativist’s opposed immigration, as they believed that it would negatively impact the United States socially, morally, politically, and economically. Socially and morally, the nativists feared that foreigners were a threat to the American society, as they were culturally inferior, possessed many ailments, and committed crimes. Politically, the ethnocentric nativists believed that immigrants would corrupt the government and negatively influence American politics.

He was the leader of the Republican Party and the driving force of the Progressive Era, causing progressivism to become a powerful national movement. President Roosevelt delivered the speech, "The Strenuous Life", on April 10, 1899 in Chicago, Illinois. The speech was reflected off his personal life experience, which propelled him towards living a "strenuous life", in which confronting challenges are ideal for collective betterment. For instance, Roosevelt had a poor physical condition as a youngster, suffering asthma, sleeping difficulties, and heart problems, yet he exercised regularly, and took up many sports and activities. Overall, the speech conveyed Roosevelt 's preference to living a "strenuous life" and learning how to overcome obstacles.

The purpose of In Support of an American Empire Speech is to convince his senators to endorse U.S. imperialism. Beveridge has extremely ethnocentric viewpoint and throughout the address he calls the Filipino people children and savages. He believes that its Americas divine duty to bring the benefits of civilization to the world saying, “We will not renounce our part in the mission of our race, trustee, under God, of the civilization of the world” (In Support of an American Empire Speech, Beveridge). Being the Senator of Indiana and a Republican pushing imperialism he is not only well known but also not a neutral party. The author leaves out all that is anti-imperialism due to morals, as he states that self government is not a necessary component of civilization and says to the Senate“and treasure already spent a profitable loss than to apply any academic arrangement of self-government to these children.

Kennedy states, “we will pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, and oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.” meaning that America has a role in the word to support struggling countries. This supports America’s morality along with Kennedy wanting the world to be a better place. Another example would be, “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.” enforcing that americans should be active in trying to progress other that suffer, under the “chains of poverty”. It represents the role of fighting for other countries basic rights, which includes things such as poverty. In John F Kennedy’s speech, he actively tries to inspire Americans nationwide to help spread progressivism and fight oppression in hopes of bettering the world.

He confronted the unmistakable issues of the lack of equality, along with our unalienable rights as Americans. The references to the Emancipation Proclamation and Declaration of Independence not only made us take his side, but also tear up because of our selfishness as human beings. Not only should people recapitulate this revolutionary moment in history, but also to fight for what you believe in. Stand up for yourself and others. Be the next bringer of justice.