Ronald Reagan Tear Down This Wall Analysis

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Tear Down This Wall Analysis For centuries, people of the world have been fighting for control and power. During the second world war, a wall was built in Berlin, Germany, and still stood forty years after the end of the war. On June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan spoke in West Berlin, Germany to all of those present and anyone watching or listening via television or radio. He hoped to inspire his audience as well as negotiate with the Soviet to join the rest of the world in peace. In his speech, Ronald Reagan uses his own success and the prosperity of the world as well as a connection to his audience to persuade the world to unite in peace and in harmony. All great speakers have one common attribute; they are considered credible and reliable …show more content…
The first way Reagan builds a connection to his audience is by speaking German. Two examples can be found at the beginning of the speech. Reagan says both “Ich hab noch einen Koffer in Berlin [I still have a suitcase in Berlin]” and “Es gibt nur ein Berlin [There is only one Berlin]” (Reagan 1). Former president John F. Kennedy spoke in Berlin 40 years before this speech was delivered. While he was there, he also spoke German. People who heard Kennedy, and now hear Reagan speak, are reminded of what he stood for and how he helped the world through a difficult time. Because of this similarity, these people then feel that Reagan will help their country just as Kennedy did. By speaking German, Reagan also reaches out to those who cannot speak English. He is speaking in their country, so they deserve to know what he is talking about. Reagan emphasizes his main points by speaking German so that the Germans can understand what his goals are. Another way Reagan established a connection to his audience is when he stated “Every man is a Berliner, forced to look upon a scar” (Reagan 2). By saying this, Reagan is implying that the whole world, not just Berlin and Germany, is affected by the presence of the Berlin Wall. Berliners can then see that they are not alone in the fight to unite the world.
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