Document Analysis I-General MacArthur
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Chelsea Eugene AMH2035 Professor Bocco Document Analysis I 1. What type of document is it? What is the title of the document? This type of document is a primary source speech entitled Farewell Address to Congress. 2. What date was the document written? The document was written on April 19 th , 1951. 3. Who was the author of the document? The author of the document is the speaker giving the address, General Douglas MacArthur. The General lived and breathed the Army serving for an astounding 52 years. He also served as aide in the White House under Theodore Roosevelt, holds the title as the Army’s first public relations officer and would go on to be known as an ex cellent soldier. His later years were filled with detriment concoctions of outbursts and offbeat behavior that destroyed his public image. 4. For what audience was the document written? The audience of the document happens to be those in congress who would still listen to what he had to say as he departed. 5. What evidence in the document helps you know why it was written? The evidence in the docu ment that allows you to understand wh y it was written is in much of the somber tone of the address. While General MacArthur was an easily excitable man, his address, as in this quote “ Old soldiers never die, they just fade away”, show how passionate the General felt about his job and having to retire. 6. What three things are found in the document which tells you about life in th e United States at the time it was written? -The General’s speech is mostly about the war going on and says “There are some, for varying reasons, would appease Red China”. The mention of “Red China” informs you that this was a crucial time in American history and h istory in General. The quote sa ys a lot about whom we could trust at the time and who we should be weary of.
Transcript of Document Analysis I-General MacArthur
Chelsea Eugene
AMH2035
Professor Bocco
Document Analysis I
1. What type of document is it? What is the title of the document?
This type of document is a primary source speech entitled Farewell Address to Congress.
2. What date was the document written?
The document was written on April 19th
, 1951.
3. Who was the author of the document?
The author of the document is the speaker giving the address, General Douglas
MacArthur. The General lived and breathed the Army serving for an astounding 52 years.
He also served as aide in the White House under Theodore Roosevelt, holds the title as
the Army’s first public relations officer and would go on to be known as an excellent
soldier. His later years were filled with detriment concoctions of outbursts and offbeat
behavior that destroyed his public image.
4. For what audience was the document written?
The audience of the document happens to be those in congress who would still listen to
what he had to say as he departed.
5. What evidence in the document helps you know why it was written?
The evidence in the document that allows you to understand why it was written is in
much of the somber tone of the address. While General MacArthur was an easily
excitable man, his address, as in this quote “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away”,
show how passionate the General felt about his job and having to retire.
6. What three things are found in the document which tells you about life in the United
States at the time it was written?
-The General’s speech is mostly about the war going on and says “There are some, for
varying reasons, would appease Red China”. The mention of “Red China” informs you
that this was a crucial time in American history and history in General. The quote says a
lot about whom we could trust at the time and who we should be weary of.
-What I admire most about this time during war was the commitment put forth by
different efforts. Even though there were many a circumstances where situations became
too risky, like during the very battle the General was in command of, many persevered.
“They have chosen to risk death rather than slavery.” This quote shows so much about
the willingness of the soldiers to fight for what they believe in at a time when rights was
being garnered every which way.
-To be able to fight for your country was such a big aspect during this time. To have to
honor and title of saying that you fought for what you thought was right, was a given
right to citizens. The General mentions that is was part of his hopes and dreams as a
young boy to be able to serve in the Army. The world had changed drastically since he
was able to say those dreams are still something he holds near and dear. This speaks so
much about how the views on war were shifting in the United States.
Bibliography
Chelsea Eugene, “Learning Module #3”, In Broward Online Classroom, January, 18,
2014, http://bconline.broward.edu/
WGBH Educational Foundation. People and Events: General Douglas MacArthur (1880-
1964). 2009.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/macarthur/peopleevents/pandeAMEX96.html
(accessed January 18, 2014).
