a) Kennedy acknowledges that he has been sworn in as president under the same oaths set forth by the founding fathers; he says that we are still fighting for the same revolutionary beliefs to this day. He points out that we are still fighting for human rights.
To acknowledge the changes that have occurred in the nation, he points to the qualities that this generation of americans possesses: “born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage (pg 284)”. He also notes our increased capacity to abolish poverty and suffering.

b) Kennedy believes that these similarities are indicative of a longstanding American tendency to fight for human rights, and that the changes that have shaped this generation make us more capable of fighting for these rights.

When Kennedy refers to “both sides,” he is referring to the US and to the nations that oppose the US. By referring to both sides, he is encouraging both US citizens and those from opposing nations to remember that we as nations have a lot in common; that each nation is aiming for more or less the same goals. The repetition of this phrase serves to drive his point home.

See sample answer below.

The Soviet Union, the nation that the United States had the most tension with at this time, was an atheist country. Using religious language helps Kennedy to unite listeners as a nation using their shared faith. In addition, calling upon past wartime experiences helps to remind listeners how far we have come as a country, as well as of our past victories.

See sample answer below.

Freedom is not always maintained through passivity; sometimes, it requires an exercise of power to continue existing.