Leading Through Inspiration

by go21

In moments of peril, leaders are expected to rally their fellow countrymen and set a common goal. Throughout history numerous leaders has succeeded in uniting and inspiring people. From Pericles’ “Funeral Oration” and Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” to FDR’s speech responding to the Pearl Harbour attack in 1941, most leader’s use oration as a tool of war. In Pericles “Funeral Oration”, Pericles praises the greatness of Athen’s in an attempt to provide the Athenian people with something to fight for in addition to a confidence in their military and infrastructure. In Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address”, Lincoln similarly praises the founder fathers and their creation of a beautiful nation.  Additionally, Lincoln praises the dead in an effort to inspire a nation to fight for the fallen in order to not let their death be in vein. Finally, in FDR’s address to the American people after the attacks on Pearl Harbour, FDR again praises the dead, just a Lincoln did. Utilizing the idea of revenge when declaring the US’ entry into WWII served as a crucial factor towards the mobilization of the American industrial machine and not only avenged the lives of those lost at Pearl Harbour, but pulled the US economy out of its greatest depression. FDR’s ability to ignite a nation who previously had been against the distant war is truly miraculous. FDR, if anyone, has shown the power of the spoken word and it’s impact.