Analysis

In this part of the study guide, we will briefly summarize the main points of our analysis of John F. Kennedy’s "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech.

The main topic of John F. Kennedy’s speech is West Germany's resistance after the construction of the Berlin Wall by the Soviet-supported East Germany. Kennedy also argues against the Communist system, which he considers a barrier for freedom.

Kennedy is a political speaker, and his speech is delivered at a crucial moment during the Cold War. His language reflects the position of the US during the Cold War and has a distinct style, characterized by the use of repetition and iconic phrases that have a positive effect on the audience.

The direct audience of Kennedy’s speech consisted of 450,000 people, who witnessed his speech in front of Rathaus Schoneberg, the city hall in West Berlin. As the speech was filmed and televised, it also reached millions of people in the US and across the world. Some parts of the speech contain warnings that are indirectly addressed towards the Soviet Union.

The circumstances that surround Kennedy’s speech involve the construction of the Berlin Wall during the Cold War. Due to these circumstances, Kennedy’s intention with the speech is to emphasize the US’s support for West Berlin, as well as to condemn Communism.

You can find the full analysis of the speech on the following pages of the study guide.

Further help

Do you want additional help with analysis of speeches? See our guide to speech analysis:

Engelsk

Speech analysis

I denne vejledning får du Studienets hjælp til, hvordan du analyserer, diskuterer og perspektiverer en tale (speech eller address) i engelskfaget. Kort fortalt handler det typisk om, at du skal lave en retorisk analyse af talen.

Excerpt from the study guide:

Thirdly, he claims that it is impossible to work with the Communists:

And there are some who say, in Europe and elsewhere, we can work with the Communists.
Let them come to Berlin. (ll. 23-25)

Finally, Kennedy argues against those who state that Communism means prosperity and progress:

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. (ll. 26-29)

His intention is also to show that despite the flaws of democracy, Communism is a much less desirable system: “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.” (ll. 32-34)

Kennedy’s implicit intention is also to give a warning to the Soviet authorities. He subtly makes the statement that America cares what happens in Berlin and will continue to support freedom and fight against the Soviets.

Finally, Kennedy’s speech is intended to convince the audience that a better future is just around the corner and that freedom will one day be found: “When all are free, then we look -- 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.” (ll. 66-69)