1. What is the
author arguing?
In his farewell address, President Dwight D. Eisenhower
argues that we must keep the Military-Industrial Complex in check. He states
that the newly formed and costly armaments industry is necessary in the new day
and age, to ward off any attempts to harm the USA, but if that kind of power
was to fall under the wrong influence the results could be disastrous and
damaging to democracy.
To prevent this he says that we the citizens need to be
alert and knowledgeable. We need to make sure military power does not dictate our
nation or another and that we can all negotiate democratically without fear, no
matter how small they may be militarily.
2. How does the
author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the
writer’s perceived character) with their argument?
President Dwight D. Eisenhower appeals to pathos in the beginning
by starting his speech in a way that will appeal to most Americans. He wishes
the next President Godspeed, says he prays for good times, talks about his experiences
with congress and stating that, even though America was in 3 out of the 4 major
wars, it is the strongest, most productive, and most influential nation in the
world.
He continues to appeal to pathos throughout the speech by
using phrases and words that resonate with the US’s founding principles and
what is thought of as morally right. A few examples are when he says “our basic
purposes have been to keep the peace, to foster progress in human achievement,
and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations”, “we
must never let the weight of this combination endangers our liberties or
democratic processes, and “You and I –my fellow citizens—need to be strong in
our faith that all nations, under God, will reach the goal of peace and justice”.
By doing this he reinforces the idea that what he is suggesting is the right
thing to do; keeping the Military-Industrial Complex in check is the right
thing to do.
He appeals to logos through his logical reasons for his
arguments. At first he states why having a military establishment vital to keeping
the peace. It detours aggressors. Then he goes on to say why it needs to be
kept in check. If unchecked it can becomes a tool for tyrannical force by threatening
less powerful nations and thereby threatening the democratic process. He also
has a logical solution. Have the citizens say alert and knowledgeable so they
can step in when there seems to be unwarranted influence.
President Eisenhower uses ethos throughout his speech to appeal
to his fellow countrymen. Throughout the speech he says that he values peace, prosperity,
and democracy. He says that he wants these values for all people and nations.
This shows how much he values those values and it gives people more reason to
think that the intent of his warning was good. His logical reasons for his
arguments show that he had thought what he is saying and he shows that he cares
emotionally for his nation. This gives him a pretty creditable character so
many people will probably heed his warning about the Military-Industrial Complex.
3. What is the
historical significance/relevance of this document?
Not only was President Eisenhower’s speech important because
it was his farewell address to American people, but it also probably made people
more aware of the dangers that a large Military-Industrial Complex posed toward
their democratic process. It also may have been part the reason why so many people
are against big military spending and invading other nations.
4. Do you find the
author’s argument convincing? Why or Why not?
I find President Eisenhower’s speech convincing because it
makes sense. I see it like this:
If a nation isn’t armed and it runs into some other nation
that it doesn’t agree with, it will more likely use diplomatic communication to
solve its differences since it takes time to make an army. If a nation had an enormous
amount of weapons and it runs into some other nation that it doesn’t agree with
it may just use force right away. The people of that nation can object to using
force if they stay alert and knowledgeable. If they do not, they can easily be
caught up and mislead by propaganda and hype. They can end up in a situation
where they themselves, citizens of the nation, don’t even know all the places
their own military is running around, let alone for what purpose.