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Karinna Hudyma
Professor Griffin
ENGL 282
8 October 2017
Brandenburg Gate Speech

Ronald Reagan was one of the most influential rhetoricians in all of United States

presidential history. As the leader of the free world, Reagan spoke about the future of Germany.

His knowledge on foreign policy and previous encounters with the Soviet Union, makes him a

valid candidate to speak of change for the country. He had a charming charisma that had the

ability to travel through every individual he spoke to. The “Brandenburg Gate” speech was

delivered on June 12, 1987 in democratic West Berlin. The audience consisted of members of

West Berlin, East Berlin and the rest of the world. This was a troubling time for citizens of

Germany and the democratic world. Regan’s speech spoke of the perplexed time in Germany and

promoted a better, more prosperous future without the presence of a wall dividing a city. (Berlin

Wall 1).

The political climate during the late 1980’s was tense. The Soviet Union was unwilling to

leave the old communist ways of power through control and manipulation. Mikhail Gorbachev,

the leader of the Soviet Union at the time, was a man of strict communist values. He continued

his control by dividing Berlin overnight, permanently making East Berlin soviet occupied and

West Berlin occupied by Western Europe. This wall was a literal “iron curtain” in which divided

the soviet world and the democratic world. Families in West Berlin were not granted entry into

East Berlin and East Berliners were forbidden to escape to West Berlin. Soviet men guarding the

wall would kill anyone that attempted to cross. (“Berlin Wall Foundation” 3).
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Reagan uplifted many West Berliners and others around the world through his use of

language that yearned for a better future. More importantly, a future without a divided city, a city

with a free-market economy similar to democratic countries around the world. Reagan uses

prominent rhetorical features such as the interesting implicit blending of political and epidictic

rhetoric to promote democracy and to encourage action by the Soviet government and the

citizens of Berlin. Supporting this claim, Reagan uses Aristotelian logos and pathos. Clear

divisions between the two forms are rhetoric are prominent however, Reagan uses both through

his political position and the countries overall desire for change to allow for this implicit

connection between the two forms of rhetoric.

Through this troubling time, Reagan promises change. His demeanor is stern however,

hopeful at the same time. Reagan says, “I pledge to you that we will maintain the capacity to

deter Soviet aggression at any level in which it might occur. I understand the fear of war and the

pain of division that afflict this continent, and I pledge to you my country's efforts to help

overcome these burdens. To be sure, we in the West must resist Soviet expansion. So, we must

maintain defenses of unassailable strength.” Regan uses political rhetoric in order to focus on

present events and help move people to action. And epidictic rhetoric is present as well. Regan

blames the Soviet government. Also, he focuses on future events by making the claim that the

United States will provide aid in any way possible. In essence, this rhetorical feature is important

because it reveals one of the main points of rhetoric. True knowledge in this instance is not

available however, Reagan makes a clear division between the democratic people and the Soviet

government. Reagan is helping to convey the truth of true Soviet domination within Germany.

Reagan uses epidictic rhetoric in one of the most, if not the most influential part of the

speech. Reagan states “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity
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for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberation: Come here to this gate. Mr.

Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev--, tear down this wall!” Reagan urges Gorbachev to

move to action in removing this division. He uses stern and demanding language, demanding

Gorbachev to remove the wall for the better of Germany and the rest of the world. Reagan’s plea

for Gorbachev to come to the wall and see the great chaos and division it has caused. The tearing

down of the wall he vows will promote prosperity and overall well-being for citizens of

Germany. A democratic nation similar to the principles of the United States.

The famous quotation allows for pathos to be present in the president’s rhetoric.

Appealing to emotions is crucial to rhetorical speaking and especially within this particular

environment in West Berlin. Once the words of removing the wall utter through the president,

the crowd erupted with cheering and clapping. The audience’s feelings of emotions allowed for

the president to see that West Berliners believe in democracy and the only true way of creating

this form of government is by removing the wall that divides fellow Germans from other fellow

Germans. In essence, Berliners want a country with democratic values including protection of

human rights, free and fair elections and rule of law. Not one side of a city under Soviet

oppression and the other exercising pro-western ideals.

Again, Reagan uses epidictic rhetoric to convey a sense of democratic well-being.

However, in this case he uses children to appeal to both logos and pathos. Regan states, “There is

no better way to establish hope for the future than to enlighten young minds, and we would be

honored to sponsor summer youth exchanges, cultural events, and other programs for young

Berliners from the East.” Reagan is recommending policies in which help young Berliners

through this troubling divide. Logos applies in the sense that Regan is providing actual plans to

ease the tensions between the two opposing sides. By using children, a pathetic view is
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conveyed. Regan uses the centralized topic of children in this portion of his speech to illicit a

logical and emotional appeal that both resonate within the minds of the audience. In essence,

these rhetorical features provide a sense of promise for the young children of Berlin.

A similar form of political rhetoric is present closer to the conclusion of the speech.

Reagan states, “One final proposal, one close to my heart: Sport represents a source of

enjoyment and ennoblement. International sports competitions of all kinds could take place in

both parts of this city. And what better way to demonstrate to the world the openness of this city

than to offer in some future year to hold the Olympic games here in Berlin, East and West.” This

form of political rhetoric is moving people to action. The notion, even if it relates to none-

political ideas still creates a sense of unity. This from of unity should be praised by Berliners

from both sides of the wall. Regan feels that possibly small steps towards unity will eventually

create a unified Berlin.

As members of West Berlin listened on, Reagan spoke about the increased potential for

success within the city as a whole. Reagan states “And I invite Mr. Gorbachev: Let use work to

bring the Eastern and Western parts of the city closer together, so that all the inhabitants of all

Berlin can enjoy the benefits that come with great life in one of the great cities of the world.” Not

dividing the city amongst pro-west values and soviet values. However, a more unified city in

which all had the ability to grow and prosper as one.” Reagan is using his political stance to

convey a positive middle ground. He is using both epidictic and political rhetoric. This is done

through praising the possible future however, condemning the present actions. Regan wants to

move Gorbachev to action in creating a democratic Berlin. One that has a great potential to grow

and prosper using American democratic values. In essence, the president is pleading for a

compromise for the better of the people.

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Though this was a troubling and detrimental time for Berliners and citizens around the

world. A city divided through lethal force was disturbing and uncalled for. President Reagan’s

sole purpose for visiting Berlin was strictly to promote peace not agitate the masses or

Gorbachev. Through his use of epidictic and political rhetoric along with Aristotelian logos and

pathos, Regan provides a persuasive speech to convey the truth of the atrocities that the Berlin

Wall has caused. Reagan helps the audience and possibly Gorbachev to make decisions based on

the rhetoric spoken by Regan. Although the fall of the Berlin Wall did not occur until November

9, 1989, almost two years after The Brandenburg Gate speech, President Regan’s words

resonated with the audience and Gorbachev for the potential of the removing of this division in a

city.
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Works Cited

Berlin Wall Foundation. 2017. “The Berlin Wall.”

http://www.berliner-mauer-gedenkstaette.de/en/theberlin-wall-10.html. Web.

Eidenmuller, Michael E. 2008. Ronald Reagan - Speech at the Brandenburg Gate, Ronald

Remarks at the Brandenburg Gate.

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganbrandenburggate.htm. Web.

History.com. 2009. “Berlin Wall.” History.com, A&E Television Networks.

http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-wall. Web.