Farewell Address (Military-Industrial Complex)
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Delivered three days before Kennedy inauguration by the outgoing president who had been Supreme Allied Commander in WWII. Eisenhower chose to warn America about the dangers of permanent war economy.
Speech Structure
Service farewell
I wish I could say tonight that a lasting peace is in sight—establishes credibility
Complex warning
The military-industrial complex—coins defining phrase
Citizen duty
Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry—assigns responsibility to public
Rhetorical Techniques
Credential deployment
"Three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment"
Military authority used to critique military power
Neologism
"Military-industrial complex"
Created permanent phrase for permanent problem
Key Quotes
"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex."
"We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes."
"Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of defense with our peaceful methods and goals."
Delivery Analysis
Pace
Measured, almost sad—tone of a man sharing uncomfortable truths
Tone
Plain grandfatherly style speaking directly to camera
Pauses
Deliberate pauses before key warnings
Gestures
Minimal movement, relying on direct eye contact
Why It Works
Unimpeachable credentials
Supreme Commander warning about military made critique undeniable
New vocabulary
Military-industrial complex gave citizens language to discuss systemic problem
Lessons for Your Speech
Use insider credentials to critique from within
Warnings from insiders carry more weight than attacks from outsiders
Create vocabulary for unnamed problems
Military-industrial complex gave citizens language to identify systemic threat
Legacy & Impact
Coined a phrase that defined American political discourse for decades. Became primary reference point for critics of defense spending.
Quick facts
- Speaker
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
- Year
- 1961
- Category
- political
- Words
- 1,800
- Duration
- 16 min
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