Iconic Presidential Speeches and Their Impact on American History
After his re-election, he delivered a speech, focusing on healing the nation and ending slavery.
Who is Abraham Lincoln?
Ex. "One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow, the cause of the war."
This story by Nathaniel Hawthorne explores the dangers of obsessive scientific perfection.
What is "The Birthmark"?
Explanation - The protagonist, Aylmer, becomes obsessed with taking a small birthmark off his wife's face because he believes it keeps her from being perfectly beautiful. This obsession leads him to tragic consequences, pointing out the risks of pursuing perfection as unattainable.
Ex. "On another face it might," answered her husband, "but not on yours. No dear, Nature made you so perfectly that this small defect shocks me as being a sign of earthly imperfection."
Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address uses this symbol to represent the soldiers' sacrifice and the nation's commitment to equality and a new birth of freedom.
What is "the battlefield"?
In his closing campaign speech, Donald Trump emphasized the need to fix this aspect of the country to ensure safety and prosperity.
What is the Immigration System?
Kamala Harris claimed that Trump would ban abortion nationwide. Is this statement true or false?
Is it False?
This speech by Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of a national cemetery emphasized national unity and the importance of liberty.
What is the Gettysburg Address?
Ex. "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men were created equal."
This Edgar Allan Poe story involves a masked ball during a deadly plague, reflecting the themes of disease and public health.
What is "The Masque of the Red Death"?
Explanation - In the story, Prince Prospero tries to outrun a fatal plague, aptly called the Red Death, by cloistering himself and his courtiers in an abbey. They hold a masquerade ball to distract themselves from the suffering outside. The Red Death, however, manages to infiltrate their sanctuary and is symbolic of the inevitability of the disease and the futility of trying to outrun it with superficial means.
Ex. "And now was acknowledged the presence of the Red Death. He had come like a thief in the night."
Thomas Jefferson's writings often use this symbol to represent the idea of a government that protects the natural rights of its citizens.
What is "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"?
Kamala Harris, in her closing campaign speech, highlighted this as a critical issue for the future of America.
What is Climate Change?
Donald Trump said he would bring back record jobs through good taxing policy and business intelligence. Is this statement true or false?
Is it True?
In this significant address, George Washington warned against entangling alliances.
What is Washington's Farewell Address?
Ex. "It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world."
This Edgar Allan Poe story involves a man walled up, alive, as an act of revenge, reflecting themes of betrayal and retribution.
What is "The Cask of Amontillado"?
Explanation - The narrator, Montresor, believes he has been wronged by Fortunato, leading Montresor to lure Fortunato into the catacombs to taste a rare wine called Amontillado. After he has him there, he builds walls around him, still alive, as revenge, a true manifestation of betrayal and retribution to the fullest.
Ex. "I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser."
Sojourner Truth's speech uses this symbol to challenge the notion of women's fragility and advocate for their strength and contributions.
What is "physical labor"?
Trump promised to bring back record numbers of these through good taxing policy and business intelligence.
What are Jobs?
Kamala Harris mentioned that Trump would restrict access to birth control and put IVF treatments at risk. Is this statement true or false?
Is it False?
In his inaugural address, this President spoke about the need for a limited government and the protection of civil liberties.
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
Ex. "The existence of such a government as ours for any length of time is a full proof of a general dissemination of knowledge and virtue throughout the whole body of the people."
This story by Nathaniel Hawthorne delves into the impact of religion on American politics and personal morality.
What is "Young Goodman Brown"?
Explanation - The journey of Goodman Brown, into the forest, culminated in witnessing a satanic ritual joined by the leading lights in his community. This had shaken his faith and further altered his outlook on morality and religion, with a consequent questioning of the integrity of social and religious structures.
Ex. "My Faith is gone!" cried he, after one stupefied moment. "There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given."
In Elizabeth Cady Stanton's speech, this symbol represents the demand for women's suffrage and equal participation in society.
What is "voting rights"?
Harris criticized Trump for handling this event, which she claimed showed his disregard for American democracy.
What is the January 6th Capitol riot?
Donald Trump claimed that he would use voter ID laws to protect the vote and ensure election integrity across America. Is this statement true or false?
Is it True?
This President emphasized the importance of a strong, central government while advocating for the rule of law.
Who is John Adams?
Ex. "All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression."
This Edgar Allan Poe story involves the narrator being haunted by a sound, symbolizing his guilt.
What is "The Tell-Tale Heart"?
Explanation - He was obsessed with the "vulture-like" eye of an old man, killed him because of it, and couldn't escape afterward the sound of his heartbeat; an obvious case of overwhelming guilt and spiraling into madness.
Ex. "My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they sat and still chattered, the ringing became more distinct." / "I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder - louder - louder! And still, the men chatted pleasantly and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God! - no, no! They heard! - they suspected! - they knew! - they were making a mockery of my horror!"
In George Washington's Farewell Address, he uses this symbol to describe the potential rise of internal factions and their threat to the nation's stability.
What is "the spirit of party"?
Trump’s speech included a promise to use this to protect the vote and ensure election integrity across America.
What are Voter ID laws?
Kamala Harris criticized Trump for his handling of the January 6th Capitol riot, claiming it showed his disregard for American democracy. Is this statement true or false?
Is it True?