Read this excerpt from President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address on January 20, 1961: 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. 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. 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. Based on the excerpt, what is the central idea of this speech?
Based on the excerpt, the central idea of the speech is to motivate Americans to strive for the development of their nation.
Explanation:
In his inaugural address, President Kennedy says: "ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country. Ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." It is clear that the main message that the President wants to send through his speech is that the country will not achieve prosperity and success without the effort and encouragement of its citizens, who are in charge to strive for the development of America.
to motivate people everywhere to uphold the freedom of humankind
Explanation:
John F. Kennedy would adress this speech to the general public, not only to those american citizens that were listening to him, but to everyone that had the opportunity to see the dangers that the soviet way and comunism represented on the "Status Quo", that is why in a certain point he says "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. " this is a very essencial part of his speech because he wanted to adress the whole occidental world that didn´t share the soviet ideals.
