Question

How does Kennedy’s use of the phrase “Ich bin ein Berliner" affect the meaning of his speech?

Answer 1

Answer: It symbolizes the support of the United States for West Germany.

Explanation:

"Ich bin ein Berliner" is a speech delivered by John Kennedy in 1963, in West Berlin. At the time, Kennedy was the United States President. This speech is often considered as the most powerful speech during the Cold War.

In his address, 22 months after East Germany erected the Berlin Wall so that people could not emigrate to the West, Kennedy reminds German people of the United States support at this difficult moment. He expresses solidarity of the United States with West Germany.

Answer 2

Question Options:

A It stresses the need for goodwill between East and West Berlin.

B It emphasizes the importance of unification between communist and democratic nations.

C It symbolizes the support of the United States for West Germany.

Answer: It symbolizes the support of the United States for West Germany.

Explanation: Ich bin ein Berliner is a speech by United States President John F. Kennedy given on June 26, 1963, in West Berlin.

The speech was aimed to underline the support of the United States for West Germany after Soviet-occupied East Germany erected the Berlin Wall to prevent mass emigration to the West.

Worthy of mention is the fact that there's a claim the phrase actually means "I am a doughnut", referring to the Berliner doughnut.