Assignment 8

“To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge—to convert our good words into good deeds—in a new alliance for progress—to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.” Inaugural Addresses of the Presidents of the United States.  1989.

In this quote from John F. Kennedy’s inaugural Address, he pledges to the Latin American countries to take action on the good promises that were made by the Unites States. During this time, the U.S had a tremendous political and economic influence over Latin America that was always abused for self-interest or the loosely used term national security.  The majority of these countries lagged behind the U.S socioeconomically and were in dire need of economic assistance, but the big corporation in the U.S wanted protect their business interest in these countries at any cost to the host nation.

The president continues to elaborate that although the U.S is willing to have a peaceful dialogue with the South, it will not tolerate any powerful nation to influence the Americas. The Soviet Union was a great power during this time and they were going head to head with the U.S in its goal to spread communism and weaken capitalism.

I chose this quote from the president’s inaugural speech because I believe that JFK was truly attempting to find a middle ground for everyone in the U.S and the World in which we all can work together to improving every aspect of life.