Speech Analysis: The Declaration of War on Japan Essay

On December 7th 1942, the day before Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) delivered his speech to Congress to ask them to go to war with Japan, The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Over 2000 American lives were lost from one of the most deceptive attacks the United States of America has ever undergone. FDR’s central purpose of his “Pearl Harbor address to the nation” speech is to try to persuade Congress to go to war with Japan. He develops this argument through characterizing japan and the nature of attack, showing the extent and danger of the attack, Reassuring the public and at the same time builds support, finally by his use of rhetoric.

Hours after Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japan, gaining worldwide headlines, giving millions unanswered questions, the speech, Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation was given one day after the event. On December 8th 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech to be remembered today, by using rhetorical devices and figurative language to strongly picture his message to the public, making great use of parallel structure, personification, parallelism, and climax ordering to enforce his key point of wanting Americans to stand up against the Japanese forces for the deliberate actions done towards there peaceful country, with no threat or hint of war or of an armed attack. With hopes of gathering support for the decision to declare war on Japan.

Roosevelt whose term lasted from March 4th 1933 to April 12 1945 was the only president elected to serve four consecutive terms. The military strike at the naval base in Hawaii in turn took a great toll on FDR’s reputation. His entire presidency had been engulfed in crisis that would lead to an economic plummet, unemployment, unmonitored political affairs. Due to his role as a leader, he felt the need to instinctively know how to handle situations like these which can either result negatively or positively. Initially, after the news was publicized about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, many Americans expressed hatred both verbally and physically towards the Japanese residents in the United states, unlike Australia who was also affected by the attack yet there wasn’t any presence of discrimination. It was highly expected for this reaction mainly because the Japanese terrorized over 18 ships, 188 airplanes and 2,403 Americans were killed. Roosevelt responded negatively to those who discriminated against the Japanese by neglecting them and their significance. For example, he scolded the school board for the segregation of Japanese children.. From this, FDR was able to acknowledge the perspective of the

On December 8, The President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, asked Congress to declare war on Japan for this tragic mass destruction a day later. Congress approved with almost all votes voting yes ("Pearl Harbor." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 28 May 2015). The United States feasted their eyes on Japan with resentment with a revenge plotting in the

FDR 's discourse after Pearl Harbor is a standout amongst the most conspicuous memorable speeches in American history. FDR’s heartfelt speech is what helped urge America to join World War II and set America 's status as the chief world superpower for the following half-century. Given the day after the Japanese besieging of Pearl Harbor, the target of this discourse was to urge Congress to pronounce war on Japan and it was additionally broadcast nationwide and filled the optional need of asking the American individuals to take up the battle against Japan. FDR 's utilization of both pathetical and consistent evidences was to a great degree compelling in impelling America to

One day after the attack on Pearl Harbor Franklin D Roosevelt addressed Congress.Three days later,Germany and Italy,Japanese’s allies, declared war on the United States.

Former president of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, addresses the violent actions at Pearl Harbor in his speech in order to gain support from the American government and people of the United States in his declaration of war on Japan. When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, the United States was not at hostilities with them. Roosevelt feels the nation needs to enact a declaration of war on the Japanese empire after the devastating event. Roosevelt aims to gain the support of the government and American people; without it, war would not be a plausible or successful idea. Rhetorical devices such as repetition, different types of diction and tone, and syntax assist Roosevelt in order to gain the support of the country.

“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States was suddenly and deliberately attacked.” This was the statement that shocked the entire nation on December 8th, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt calmly addressed the nation on the events that unfolded in Hawaii. He, along with the rest of the U.S., knew what had to be done: they had to forego their neutrality if they ever wanted to get revenge on the Japanese for killing and injuring a couple of thousand naval officers and every single battleship in Pearl Harbor.

A day later, the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, addressed Congress in the now famous speech: “Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan… I speak the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that… [h]ostilities exist. There is no mincing the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. I, therefore, ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.” Congress, immediately following President Roosevelt’s address, voted almost unanimously to declare war on the Empire of Japan – the

In response to the growing global conflict Roosevelt’s prepared by instructing congress to increase the U.S Navy, (Faragher, 2009, p.696). He at the time was unable to admit to the public the anticipated involvement of the European conflict. Roosevelt stayed firm to stand for the nations security and supported Americas allies in order to defeat the Nazis movement. Later, on December, 7,1941 Japanese attack planes engaged Pearl harbor on the island of Hawaii. Destroying many U.S Navy ships resulting in a significant American death toll. In response to the attack the united states declared war on Hitler, (Faragher, 2009, p.698).

December 7, 1941 was a day where everyone in the U.S was listening intently to the radios when the news informed everyone that Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was being attacked by the Japanese planes. it was a devastating day for Americans everywhere waiting on the edge of their seats for something of good news, but there wasn’t any. Pearl Harbor isn’t known for its beautiful scenery, but for the bombing the Japanese lead because of anger and power killing and wounding 3,000 civilians and soldiers. America and Japan did have hate for each other for many reasons, but what made the Japanese angry was President Franklin D Roosevelt cutting off their resources, Japan wanting to have the biggest strongest Naval force and FDR knowing head of time that Japan was on their

“December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.(A Date which will live in Infamy 1)” President Franklin D. Roosevelt said this in his historic speech, “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy”, the day after this atrocious act against our great country. Around 8 AM on December 7th, 1941, Japanese forces attacked a US naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack on the base rattled the world both home and abroad. It also brought America directly to the front line of World War 2, changing the tide of the entire war. At home, there was both positive and negative effects.

The speech given by Franklin D. Roosevelt on December 8, 1941, at 12:30 p.m was known as the Infamy Speech and was delivered with power and the steely resolve required of a leader going to war. President Roosevelt informed the people of our nation about the attack on Pearl Harbor and rallied the citizens of the U.S. against an enemy that struck without warning. The words he used and the way he delivered them conveyed his anger at this unprovoked attack and his determination to ensure the defense of the country with burning desire to ensure that the perpetrating country would not go unpunished, thus endearing him to the people he would be leading into the war to come. President Roosevelt rallied the people looking to him after the tragedy of Pearl Harbor by

vessels (Smith). Eventually, it will lead to the full repeal of the neutrality legislation (Smith). Yet, a devastating conclusion to the effort of resisting participation in the war took place on December 8, 1941 (Smith). Declaration of war promptly followed FDR’s address to Congress, as Japan launched its attack on Pearl Harbor (Smith). At the moment that we entered the war, Roosevelt’s administration took caution with relaying information to the public for it may fall into the hands of our enemies (Smith). Due to the lack of credible information with the war effort and slumping morale, Roosevelt scheduled a radio address to rejuvenate the people’s confidence on the government, comparable to the first fireside chat during the economic depression (Smith). The fireside chats during the war revolved around “his description of the nobility of purpose for the Allied effort, the inevitability of victory, and the necessity for personal and economic sacrifice” (Smith). More chats were transmitted with FDR speaking to the public with topics ranging from the military victories of the Allies in the Pacific, his plan to stabilize food prices, to propaganda (Smith). For instance, Roosevelt made fireside chats specifically for his international audience, where he acted as the Allies’ main propagandist

December 7th 1941- A date that will live in infamy.” This is the name of one of the most famous speeches given in American history. This speech was given by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The speech was given as a response of the bombing of Pearl Harbor making it an event that no one can forget. It was this speech that declared America would be brought into World War Two. It sanctified America’s status as the primary world superpower for the next fifty years. Given the day after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, this speech was given to try and persuade Congress to declare war on Japan. The country was still in awe after hearing the news of the bombing and the tone of the speech was similar to the one that George W. Bush delivered following the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers/World Trade Centers. Although the primary purpose of this speech was to persuade Congress, it was also used to televise nationally and serve the secondary purpose of urging the American people to want to fight against Japan as well. FDR’s use of both pathetical and logical proofs showed extremely effective in stirring up America to declare war and fight against The Japanese Empire. President Roosevelt used Ethos, Pathos, and Logos, or all three of the emotional appeals.