SOAPTONE Tear Down This Wall

Source  

Who wrote the document?   

Ronald Reagen 

What is the author’s background/point of view? 

The 40th President of the United States (1981-1989). Originally a democrat, but switched to being a Republican in 1962 due to platform changes. Reagen implemented many new political and economic initiatives. He wished to reduce taxes to spur economic growth, control the money supply to reduce inflation, and reduce government spending.

Whose point of view, given the topic, is 
missing?  

The point of view missing is those of the people living in Berlin. 

Do you consider the source a reliable one on this topic?  Why/why not?

This source is a reliable source on documenting Reagen's, and that of the American Nation's, opinion on the splitting of Berlin. 

Occasion  

When was the document written?  

June 12, 1987

What does the date of the document tell you about its content?
This speech was written two years before the fall of the Berlin wall. It most likely influenced and aided in taking the wall down. It also lead to the end of the Cold War. 

What other historical events were going on during this time?

See above

Audience  

To whom is the author writing?  

Ronald Reagen is standing in front of the Western Berlin population, but he addresses his viewers from Eastern Berlin, North America and Europe as well. 
What type of document is this (diary entry, personal letter, public speech,
etc.)?    

This is a public speech

Does the private/public nature of the document inform you about its content(is the author sharing private thoughts, making a public pronouncement,
etc.)?
Because this is a public speech it is a persuasive speech. It may persuade the public who still do not want to go to bring the two halves together to actually commit.Purpose  
Why was the document written?  What is the purpose of the document?  

The document was written as a formality to convince the aid in the falling of the Berlin wall. 

What is the document saying?

see above

Tone

What is the attitude of the speaker?

The speaker is inspiring hope and unity. The falling of the Berlin wall is a symbolic movement to ending the cold war. Without this no one would actually have peach at mind.