Themes of Inaugural Addresses

Methods

Process

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.

Tone

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).

Themes

  • WAR: Any mention of war, defense, or international security. The positive tone for presidents encouraging war, and the negative tone for advocating for peace.
  • ECONOMY: Any reference to America’s economic performance as a whole or specific aspects of the economy.
  • JOBS: Any reference to micro-economics and changes in labor participation or unemployment.
  • RELIGION: Any references of religion, god, or prayer. Does not include closing statements like, “god bless you,” which we deemed to be traditional rather than religious.
  • DEMOCRACY: Any reference of the spread of democracy as a political ideology abroad or the defense of those beliefs at home.
  • IMMIGRATION: Any references to immigration, immigrants, or border security.
  • RACE: Any current or historical mentions of racial equality, tensions, or relations.
  • UNITY: Any references of, or calls to, collectiveness or patriotism. Only includes domestic instances of unity.
  • EDUCATION: Any references of the state of the education system, includes primary through university-level education.
  • PREDECESSOR: Includes any mentions of the life or political work of recent former presidents.
  • CRIME: Any mention of crime, prison reform, or the criminal justice system.
  • CONGRESS: Any mention of either house of congress, including past accomplishments and calls to action.
  • TAXES: Any mention of taxes, tax reform, or the impact of taxes on citizens of varying income levels.
  • DIPLOMACY: Any mentions of international diplomatic discussion, including negotiations with foreign government or multinational organizations like the United Nations.
  • TRADE: Any mention of international import or export of goods, including discussion of tariffs.
  • REGULATION: Any reference to the regulation of government or business practices.
  • INFRASTRUCTURE: Any reference of industrial, agricultural, technological, or any other development. Includes digital as well as physical infrastructure.
  • PUBLIC HEALTH: Any mention of healthcare, disease, air or water quality, or anything else that discusses the overall health of the American population.