With this in mind, it was difficult to give America the confidence to be a superpower, while at the same time trying to practice peace. This goal of being a peaceful force was the impetus behind his inaugural address. The main theme of JFK's speech was gaining responsibility while maintaining control. For example, Kennedy said, “…Man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.” The late president also issues a sense of challenge to the United States by stating: “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in the hour of greatest danger.” Rather than scare America in wartime, encourage courage for Americans