Kennedys Speech

Reasons American Citizens Would Be Worried:

Within the past week, unmistakable evidence has established the fact that a series of
offensive missile sites is now in preparation on that imprisoned island. The purpose of
these bases can be none other than to provide a nuclear strike capability against the
Western Hemisphere.

Tells the American citizens that there are missile stationed in Cuba that pose a direct
nuclear threat to the people of the Western Hemisphere.

American citizens have become adjusted to living daily on the bulls eye of Soviet
missiles located inside the U.S.S.R. or in submarines.

Americans will constantly live under the Soviet Union having a target on their backs.

The 1930s taught us a clear lesson: aggressive conduct, if allowed to grow unchecked and
unchallenged, ultimately leads to war.

Tells the citizens of a threat of war with Cuba and the Soviet Union.

Let no one doubt that this is a difficult and dangerous effort on which we have set out, no
one can foresee precisely what course it will take or what costs or casualties will be
incurred.

There is an unpredictability to the actions that will be a consequence due to what actions
the United States takes.

The cost of freedom is always high but Americans have always paid it. And one path
we shall never choose is the path of surrender or submission.

No matter what happens the United States wont give up, signaling it could be a long
unforgiving war, if one starts.

Reasons American Citizens Would Be Reassured:

The cost of freedom is always high but Americans have always paid it. And one path
we shall never choose is the path of surrender or submission.

No matter what happens the United States wont give up in the face of an enemy,
reassuring their citizens.

Our goal is not the victory of might but the vindication of right not peace at the expense
of freedom, but both peace and freedom, here in this hemisphere, and, we hope, around
the world. God willing, that goal will be achieved.

The United States government will do whatever it takes to have peace in the Western
hemisphere.

To halt this offensive build-up, a strict quarantine on all offensive military equipment
under shipment to Cuba is being initiated. All ships of any kind bound for Cuba from
whatever nation and port will, if found to contain cargoes of offensive weapons, be
turned back.

Kennedy made it clear that he was in charge of events by opting for the blockade. This
made it clear to the American people and Khrushchev that he was taking firm action
against the Soviet Union and Cuba; all the while allowing the people of Cuba to receive
their necessary resources to survive.

The United Sates President John F Kennedy made a speech about the state of the Cuban
Missile Crisis that has been looked upon as an informative, but also threatening speech made
to scare the citizens. In my opinion it was a speech that was made to inform the American
citizens of the incoming hardships they may face, while still allowing a sense of danger into
the speech so that every American citizen realizes that there is a threat that is looming over
the United States.