Theodore Roosevelt's Inaugural Address
1905
General Idea:
America should be a country that other countries look up to, a country that keeps the peace to the best of its ability
- We should not start fights with other countries
- We should not take things lying down
- Also calls for the people of the country to come together, of all races
Historical Context:
- This speech was given before WWI, perhaps when tensions between other countries were running high
- Roosevelt had already been president for 3 years before this point (after McKinley's assassination)
- The celebration known as the most diverse in history.
Rhetorical Merit:
- Employs pathos to rally the country together--suggests that America is the "bigger person" so to speak
- Coined the phrase "Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far".