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In their speeches, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan expressed their belief that Americans can and should shape the Great Society through moral reawakening. Johnson and Reagan used similar reasoning lines, emphasized the need to realize the dream of the Founding Fathers, and used strong arguments and language mean to persuade their audiences.
The different perspectives chosen by the Presidents for their speeches can be explained with the peculiarities of their target audiences. Thus, Lyndon Johnson outlined his views in a speech to students and emphasized the importance of proper education. On the other hand, Ronald Reagan discussed American morality and religious believes when speaking to the National Association of American Evangelicals.
Therefore, the solutions and promises of the two Presidents were tailored to the expectations of their listeners who might become their voters. Importantly, both Johnson and Reagan discussed the role of the government in problem-solving. Whereas Johnson suggested developing new concepts of cooperation between the government and community, Reagan included some critical notes regarding the intrusion of the government into the families in the form of the well-intentioned effort to provide children with birth-control drugs and devices (Johnson 312). Therefore, Johnson and Reagan outlined their views regarding the future of the nation and the role of the government and citizens in shaping this future, selecting appropriate arguments to reach out to their target audiences.
To persuade their listeners and encourage them to take certain actions, the Presidents used diverse and powerful arguments. Both Johnson and Reagan mentioned “the Founding Fathers”, appealing to the sense of national identity in their audiences. In his final remarks, Johnson reminded his listeners that those who come to the new land were searching for a new world (Johnson 254). Reagan in his turn mentioned the moment when “the Founding Fathers” passed the First Amendment to illustrate the relation between the state and the church (Johnson 312).
Reagan attempted to reconsider the concept of protection of the church from the government’s interference outlined in the First Amendment and concluded that the issue of non-interference did not imply the wall of hostility between these two institutions (Johnson 312). Developing this idea, Reagan even counted how many times God was mentioned in the Declaration of Independence (no less than 4 times) to support the idea that religious beliefs were an integral element of American doctrine.
Other statistical data was also used by the two Presidents as powerful evidence persuading the audience that there are problems that need to be addressed. For instance, Johnson offered the figures to illustrate the number of Americans who had not finished 5 years of school (8 million) and strengthened this argument by admitting that it is equal to the entire population of Michigan (Johnson 253). Reagan mentioned a survey, according to which 95 percent of Americans were religious (Johnson 312). The main reasoning line used by the Presidents was based on the American dream outlined by the Founding Fathers and the role of the contemporary audiences in realizing it.
Along with the historical accounts and statistical data, Johnson and Regan used rhetorical questions, direct appeals, promises, and contrasts to increase the effects of their speeches. Johnson started his sentences with the question “Will you join the battle against…” four times. Reagan contrasted the American spirituality to the Soviet soullessness and darkness, appealing to his audience: “Let’s pray for the salvation of all those who live in that totalitarian darkness” (Johnson 313). Importantly, both Presidents expressed the belief that Americans have the power to shape the nation they want to and encouraged their listeners to join the battle.
Therefore, expressing similar ideas of moral reawakening and social improvement, Johnson and Reagan tailored their speeches to their situations and expectations of their target audiences.
Works Cited
Johnson, Michael P. Reading the American Past, Volume II: From 1865: Selected Historical Document, Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008. Print.
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