Textual versions of each presidential inaugural address from 1901 to 2021 were found through Project Gutenberg. Using XML, we tagged for eighteen common themes found within inaugural addresses from this period. The purpose of this was to find various similarities and changes over time in the themes referenced in inaugural addresses and how this represents the political climate of each period. Each address was analyzed by at least two team members to ensure validity and consistency.
Some themes include a tone which is either positive or negative. In nearly all addresses, presidents will portray future success, so negative tone includes references to past or current failings in that area. For themes like war and immigration, tone refers to more or less of that thing (e.g., advocating for peace or reduced immigration would be negative).