Zimmerman 1

McKa’an Zimmerman

AP English, Period 1

Cooper, N.

24.04.2019

Rhetorical Analysis of George Wallace’s Inaugural Address

In 1950s and 1960s America, the Jim Crow laws were at the height of their power. In

opposition to this, there was a rising abundance of Civil Rights Leaders. In the South,

segregation was seen as necessary to corral the “wild” African Americans. George Wallace, an

esteemed member of the Judicial Circuit of Alabama, was neutral on the proposed integration

and the evident segregation in Alabama. However, when Wallace lost the gubernatorial election

in 1958, he changed his neutral stance on integration and segregation (“George Wallace”). By

ruling in favor of the white man in many court cases, Wallace all but secured his position as

governor in the next gubernatorial election. On January 14th, 1963, George Wallace gave his

inaugural address as the 45th Governor of Alabama (“George Wallace). Edited by Asa Carter,

the renowned author of “The Education of Little Tree”, Wallace’s inaugural address was used to

spur the Alabama community towards what Wallace believed would make Alabama a great state:

“... segregation today… segregation tomorrow… segregation forever,” (Wallace 2). Wallace

used segregation to cement his base and had a keen understanding that the mass majority of

Alabamians would vote for anyone who flattered them and agreed with their almost radical view

of segregation. This is evident in Wallace’s use of allusions, ethos, pathos, and repetition.
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The audience of Wallace’s inaugural address is all of Alabama as well as the entirety of

the United States due to it being televised, however the intended audience and the audience that

Wallace is specifically addressing is white Alabamians. Wallace had his speech edited by Asa

Carter, a man known for his racist ideals, in an attempt to meet the needs and ideals of his base to

the best of his ability. By playing on and exploiting the strengths and weaknesses of his audience

Wallace delivered a speech that made people want to agree with his views because, in reality,

Wallace was simply reciting their own words back to them. In doing this Wallace was showing

off his talent for understanding the public masses and what they want out of government officials

and politicians. Looking into Wallace’s judicial record it can be seen that he previously did not

have a solid stance on integration or segregation. Only when he lost the 1958 gubernatorial

election did he start ruling in favor of segregation (“George Wallace”). From this moment on all

his rulings and speeches were employed as a manipulation tool on the majority of voters in

Alabama - white men who were pro segregation. Wallace understood that in order to be elected

he would have to say things that he did not necessarily believe in but eventually help him reach

the goal he coveted.

Throughout his inaugural speech Wallace uses religious diction to allude to many things;

one of the most important being God. On the first page Wallace says, “And on this day I feel a

deep obligation to renew my pledges, my covenants with you… the people of this great state,”

(Wallace 1). By using the word “covenant” Wallace is alluding to God’s covenant with Abraham

and therefore drawing the conclusion that the Alabamians are equal to that of God’s chosen

people (Wallace 1). However in this instance Wallace is acting as God and the Alabamians that

voted for him are his chosen people. In using this allusion, Wallace is creating a platform that a
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majority of Alabamians agree with and will advocate for. Wallace also alludes to General Robert

E. Lee’s ideals by quoting him. Wallace says, “that ‘duty’ is the most sublime word in the

English language,” (Wallace 1). Considering that General Robert E. Lee fought for the South

during the Civil War, it can be inferred that he is a known symbol of segregation and pro slavery.

Thus, in quoting him, Wallace is letting the audience infer that he agrees with these ideals and

will do all he can to uphold them during his term. This allusion also negates his next few lines

that discuss his absolute devotion to “helping… every man... every woman… and child in

[Alabama],” (Wallace 1). Although Wallace says that he will help everyone in Alabama, by

alluding to Lee prior to this the warrant that the audience has is that he is only addressing white

people in Alabama, excluding the 30% of African Americans in Alabama at that time

(Birmingham). Wallace’s allusions to “the Cradle of the Confederacy, this very Heart of the

Great Anglo-Saxon Southland” also helped to negate his statements of equal opportunity for

everyone that he makes throughout his speech (Wallace 2).

Wallace also utilizes ethos in many spots in his speech; when he mentions confederate

leaders by name, speaks of his service in World War II, and when he discusses the many

wonderful things Alabama has to offer as well as ways Alabama is superior to other countries

and states (Wallace 1-4). Wallace quotes the esteemed General Robert E. Lee and refers to

Jefferson Davis in an attempt to make make himself appear more credible. By associating

himself with these two gentlemen he is guiding the minds of his audience to think he is of the

same class and revere as these two men, whom most Alabamians at that time greatly admired.

Aligning himself with these men also backs up his belief in segregation and makes it more

believable to his audience that he is pro segregation and believes it to be the ultimate way to help
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everyone regardless of his past history with segregation. Wallace says, “I was safer in a B-29

bomber over Japan in an air raid…” (Wallace 2). In 1963 Americans were still trying to make up

for time lost during World War II with families, employment, and education. In referencing his

time in World War II Wallace not only adds to his credibility but also becomes a hero in the eyes

of the people. With that character enhancement everything he says afterwards carries the weight

of someone who has seen war, making it all that much more important and accurate. No one in

Alabama in the early 1960s is going to say that a World War II veteran is wrong when they gave

up so much to defend the people of the nation. Wallace then shifts focus to all of the incredible

accomplishments Alabama has, talking about the abundant “natural resources… waterway

systems… climate…” (Wallace 3). This shift of focus serves two purposes; to flatter the

Alabamians and provide Wallace with more credibility. Wallace flatters the Alabamians by

talking about their accomplishments and praising them for it. He builds up his credibility by

intertwining it with the accomplishments of Alabama. Wallace is an Alabamian therefore these

accomplishments also belong to him. By associating the two together Wallace is creating a

syllogism thus tying himself and his audience closer while also putting them on the same

platform as himself, making them equals.

While using ethos effectively Wallace also uses pathos excellently by praising the

Alabamians excessively throughout his speech. When discussing the “Southerners” Wallace

takes on the persona of a pastor (Wallace 3). He speaks of them wandering away from the

“hearths of the Southland” and sends out a call for them to come home (Wallace 3). By

mimicking a pastor he is taking advantage of the church influence in Alabama to pull at the heart

strings of his audience. In pulling at these heart strings he is reminding them of something that
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they deem necessary and will defend with their lives: God. Wallace also uses pathos when

describing the “native sons and daughters of old New England’s rock-ribbed patriotism… and

you sturdy natives of the great Mid-West… and you descendents of the far West flaming pioneer

spirit…” (Wallace 3). He is creating an environment of inclusivity that makes everyone in

America, black and white alike, feel special, despite his earlier attempts to communicate support

of segregation. Provoking this emotion is key to Wallace’s next lines: “... we invite you to come

and be with us… for you are of the Southern mind… and Southern spirit… and the Southern

philosophy… you are Southerners too and brothers with us in our fight,” (Wallace 3). In saying

this Wallace is sending out the message that the South is the true home of all Americans, the

only place where their ideals can and will be held to the highest standards. Wallace one again

uses pathos to invoke fear in Alabamian masses. He addresses the “centralized government” as

an encroachment on all that Alabamians hold dear (Wallace 4). Wallace villanizes the

government by explaining how it threatens the Alabamian lifestyle. The “centralized

government” threatens the “ideology of [their] free fathers,” (Wallace 4). In provoking this

indignation and fear Wallace is setting up the base for his further explanation of how the

government is responsible for destroying their faith and further causing fear for their economy

(Wallace 5). Using pathos Wallace describes this side of argument with forceful words - “... to

forbid, to require, to demand…” - in an attempt to further solidify the connection between

himself and all that is good in contrast to the connection be made between the government and

all that is bad (Wallace 4).

Wallace succinctly uses repetition throughout his speech when saying the phrases “I

have… I shall… [and] I want…” (Wallace 1-2). The phrase “I have…” is attached to statements
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about the past or statements referring to the past (Wallace 1). By using the phrase “I have…”

Wallace is consistently reiterating his understanding of Alabama’s traditions and history,

therefore reassuring Alabamians that he was the right gubernatorial candidate to vote for in the

election. The phrase “I shall…” is attached to promises Wallace is making to the Alabamian

people and the country (Wallace 1). Wallace promises to rid Alabama of “liquor” and further

states that there is “no more liquor drinking in your governor’s mansion” in an effort to connect

himself with the people (Wallace 1). Wallace also promises to care for the “senior citizens” in an

attempt to further reassure his base that he cares for their well being (Wallace 1). The phrase “I

want…” is attached to statements that Wallace makes in order to strengthen his belief of

“separate but equal” (Wallace 1). Wallace starts out both phrases referring equality with “I

want…” in another attempt to create the concept of equality between both himself and his base

as well as his base and African Americans (Wallace 1). In saying “I want…” he is building the

blocks for his argument of inclusivity-equal-segregation-not-integration (Wallace 1).

George Wallace effectively utilizes the rhetorical strategies of allusions, ethos, pathos,

and repetition in his gubernatorial inaugural speech to create a speech that presents his

information in an understandable and concrete way. He further solidifies his ideals by aligning

himself with the ideals “great” Southern leaders. He builds his character through referencing

these “great” Southern men. He causes emotions such as fear, love, and respect to occur in the

Alabamian people as a way to cement his base. He successfully uses repetition to start his

arguments and share his ideals with his base. Through these rhetorical devices Wallace delivers

an effective speech that elicits powerful emotions and further gathers support of Alabamians.
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Works Cited

“Alabama's Population 1800-2000.” ​Birmingham Public Library - Alabama's Population,

1800-2000​, Birmingham Public Library,

www.bplonline.org/resources/government/AlabamaPopulation.aspx​.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “George Wallace.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica​,

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 27 Dec. 2018,

www.britannica.com/biography/George-C-Wallace​.

Wallace, George C. “The Inaugural Address of Governor George C. Wallace,” Alabama

Department of Archives and History. January 14, 1963.

http://www.archives.alabama.gov/govs_list/g_wallac.html