President John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address | January 20, 1961

Summary

In his inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy calls for a new generation to uphold freedom and human rights. He emphasizes unity, the fight against poverty and tyranny, and the importance of peace. Kennedy urges nations to work together, seek scientific advancements for good, and commit to a world where all are free.

Takeaways

• 📜 The script is a transcript of John F. Kennedy's inauguration speech, emphasizing the peaceful transfer of power and the responsibilities of the presidency.
• 🌟 JFK highlights the significance of the oath of office, which he swears to uphold, similar to the forebears who established the nation.
• 🌎 He acknowledges the world's changed state, with humanity now possessing the power to eradicate poverty or end all life.
• 🙏 Kennedy stresses the enduring belief in human rights as divinely granted, not bestowed by the state.
• 🔥 He calls for a new generation to continue the fight for human rights, both domestically and globally.
• 🤝 JFK pledges to support allies and to work cooperatively, emphasizing unity as essential for overcoming challenges.
• 🏆 He assures new states of freedom from colonial control and tyranny, advocating for self-determination and freedom.
• 🌱 JFK promises to help impoverished people worldwide, not for political gain but because it is morally right.
• 🌐 He addresses the United Nations, pledging to prevent it from becoming a mere forum for conflict and to strengthen its protective role.
• ✊ To potential adversaries, JFK offers not a pledge but a request to seek peace and avoid the catastrophic consequences of unchecked arms race.
• 🌟 He concludes with a call to action for all citizens to contribute to the country and the world, emphasizing individual responsibility in service of the greater good.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the provided transcript?

The speaker in the provided transcript is John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States.

What significant event is taking place in the transcript?

The significant event taking place in the transcript is the inauguration of John F. Kennedy as the President of the United States.

What does Kennedy pledge to preserve, protect, and defend?

Kennedy pledges to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

What does Kennedy refer to as 'the torch' in his speech?

Kennedy refers to 'the torch' as the responsibility and legacy of freedom and democracy, which he states has been passed to a new generation of Americans.

What does Kennedy promise to old allies in the speech?

Kennedy promises old allies the loyalty of faithful friends and a commitment to work together in cooperative ventures.

What is Kennedy's stance on the United Nations as expressed in the speech?

Kennedy expresses support for the United Nations and pledges to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective, to strengthen its shield for the new and the weak, and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.

What does Kennedy ask of the nations that would be adversaries?

Kennedy asks nations that would be adversaries to begin anew the quest for peace, to avoid the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science.

What does Kennedy propose regarding the inspection and control of arms?

Kennedy proposes that both sides formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms to bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.

What is the call to action Kennedy gives to his fellow citizens?

Kennedy calls on his fellow citizens to ask not what their country can do for them, but what they can do for their country.

What is the central theme of Kennedy's inaugural address?

The central theme of Kennedy's inaugural address is the commitment to freedom, peace, and the responsibility of each generation to defend these values against the challenges of tyranny, poverty, disease, and war.

How does Kennedy envision the role of the United States in the world?

Kennedy envisions the United States as a leader in a global alliance against common enemies such as tyranny, poverty, disease, and war, and as a nation committed to the freedom and well-being of all mankind.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Inaugural Oath and Global Vision

The paragraph captures the inauguration of John F. Kennedy as the President of the United States. It begins with the oath-taking ceremony, where Kennedy pledges to execute his office faithfully and to preserve and defend the Constitution. The speech then transitions into a broader reflection on the state of the world and America's role in it. Kennedy emphasizes the continuity of revolutionary beliefs in human rights and the responsibility of the new generation to uphold these values. He calls for a global commitment to liberty, peace, and the advancement of human rights, both domestically and internationally.

05:00

🌐 Alliances and Global Responsibility

This paragraph discusses Kennedy's vision for international relations and America's commitment to global welfare. He addresses the need for unity among allies and the importance of cooperation in various ventures. Kennedy also pledges support to new states seeking freedom from colonial control and warns against the dangers of tyranny. He extends an offer to neighboring countries to work together against aggression and subversion. Furthermore, he calls for a renewed commitment to the United Nations to prevent it from becoming a mere forum for conflict and to strengthen its role in peacekeeping. Kennedy concludes by urging nations, including potential adversaries, to seek peace and avoid the destructive potential of modern weaponry.

10:02

🔥 The Call to Action

In this final paragraph, Kennedy issues a call to action for both Americans and the global community. He emphasizes that the work ahead will not be quick or easy, but it is necessary to begin the process of creating a more just and peaceful world. He speaks to the responsibility of each generation to defend freedom and to combat the common enemies of mankind, such as tyranny, poverty, disease, and war. Kennedy encourages a global alliance to ensure a better life for all and asks for the participation of his audience in this historic effort. He ends with the famous line, 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,' and extends this sentiment to citizens of the world, asking them to join in the pursuit of freedom.

Keywords

💡Freedom

Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. In the context of the video, it is a central theme, symbolizing the celebration of liberty and the end of oppression. The script mentions 'a celebration of freedom' and the commitment to preserving and promoting this ideal both within the United States and globally.

💡Constitution

The Constitution refers to the fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. In the script, it is mentioned as the foundation of the United States, which the President swears to 'preserve, protect, and defend,' indicating its supreme importance in the governance and values of the nation.

💡Generation

A generation is all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively. The video emphasizes the passing of the 'torch' to a 'new generation of Americans,' suggesting a call to action for contemporary individuals to uphold and advance the ideals of freedom and democracy.

💡Pledge

A pledge is a solemn promise or commitment. Throughout the script, the term is used to express the dedication and promises made by the United States to its allies, to new states, and to the global community, emphasizing a commitment to liberty, support, and peace.

💡Allies

Allies are countries or groups that are united in support or agreement, typically for a military or political purpose. The script speaks of 'old allies' and the shared cultural and spiritual origins, indicating a history of cooperation and mutual support in the pursuit of peace and freedom.

💡Colonial Control

Colonial control refers to the domination or control exerted by one country over another. The video script condemns this practice and pledges to prevent a transition from one form of control to a more oppressive form, highlighting a commitment to self-determination and freedom.

💡Cooperation

Cooperation is the process of working together to the same end. The script calls for a 'beachhead of cooperation' to counteract 'the jungle of suspicion,' suggesting that collaborative efforts are necessary to overcome distrust and achieve common goals, such as peace and prosperity.

💡Arms

In the context of the video, 'arms' refers to weapons, particularly those of mass destruction. The script discusses the need for 'inspection and control of arms' to prevent the unchecked power to destroy other nations, advocating for disarmament and non-proliferation as a path to peace.

💡Science

Science, as used in the script, refers to the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the natural and physical world through observation and experiment. It is highlighted as a force that can be harnessed for good, such as exploring space and eradicating disease, rather than for destructive purposes.

💡Tyranny

Tyranny is a cruel and oppressive government or rule. The video script identifies tyranny as a 'common enemy of man' that must be combated, along with poverty, disease, and war, emphasizing the struggle for freedom and justice against oppressive forces.

💡Service

Service in this context refers to performing duties or tasks for others, often in a selfless or helpful manner. The script calls for a commitment to 'service' as part of the struggle against common enemies, suggesting that each individual has a role to play in the broader effort to promote freedom and well-being.

Highlights

John F. Kennedy's inauguration oath, emphasizing the commitment to the Constitution.

Celebration of freedom and renewal, not just a victory of one party.

Kennedy's acknowledgement of the world's changed state with the power to abolish poverty and life.

Reiteration of the belief in human rights as granted by God, not the state.

The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans.

Determination to support liberty at any cost.

Loyalty pledge to old allies and the potential of united efforts.

Warning against the replacement of colonial control with a more oppressive regime.

Encouragement for people to support their own freedom.

Assistance to those struggling with poverty, not for votes but because it is right.

Special pledge to sister republics for a new alliance for progress.

Opposition to aggression or subversion in the Americas.

Renewed support for the United Nations to prevent it from becoming a forum for invective.

Appeal to adversaries to seek peace and avoid the dark powers of destruction.

Emphasis on the necessity of strong arms to ensure they are never employed.

Call for civility and sincerity in negotiations and avoiding fear.

Proposal for serious and precise arms control proposals.

Invitation to explore the wonders of science instead of its terrors.

The vision of a new world of law where peace is preserved.

Kennedy's call to action for citizens to contribute to the country.

The historic effort to forge a global alliance against tyranny, poverty, disease, and war.

The responsibility and welcome of the challenge to defend freedom.

The iconic phrase 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.'

Transcripts

(bright music)

- [Earl] You, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, do solemnly swear.

- [John] I, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, do solemnly swear.

- [Earl] That you will faithfully execute

the Office of President of the United States.

- [John] That I will faithfully execute

the Office of the President of the United States.

- [Earl] And will to the best of your ability.

- [John] And will to the best of my ability.

- [Earl] Preserve, protect, and defend

the Constitution of the United States.

- [John] Preserve, protect, and defend

the Constitution of the United States.

- [Earl] So help you God.

- [John] So help me God.

(audience cheering)

Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief 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 forebears 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,

tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace,

proud of our ancient heritage,

and unwilling to witness or permit

the slow 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.

(audience clapping)

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.

(audience cheering)

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.

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.

(audience cheering)

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.

(audience cheering)

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 subversion anywhere in the Americas.

And let every other power know

that this Hemisphere intends to remain

the master of its own house.

(audience cheering)

To that world assembly of sovereign 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 invective,

to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak,

and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.

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,

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.

(audience cheering)

Let both sides explore what problems unite us

instead of belaboring 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.

(audience cheering)

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 Isaiah to undo the heavy burdens

and let the oppressed go free.

And if a beachhead of cooperation

may push back the jungle of suspicion,

let both sides join in creating a new endeavor,

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 100 days.

Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days,

nor in the life of this Administration,

nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet.

But let us begin.

(audience cheering)

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?

(audience cheering)

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.

(audience cheering)

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.

(audience cheering)

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.

(audience cheering)

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.

(audience cheering)