TOW #19- Pearl Harbor Speech: Day of Infamy by Franklin D. Roosevelt (written text)

Franklin D. Roosevelt begins his speech for Pearl Harbor by directly addressing his audience, saying “To the Congress of the United States...” However, it is evident that Roosevelt also wants to rile up support from amongst the general American population, since it will not be easy to summon the American people into another war during an already difficult time economically. He then proceeds to directly state the occasion for which he is giving the speech, presenting the details of the attack. His use of the words “suddenly” and “deliberately” add to his argument that the country should go to war in an attempt to portray the Japanese as having provoked this war against America, which is emphasized when Roosevelt says: “The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan...” By doing this, Roosevelt attempts to show that Japan is totally at fault, and if the Americans want peace, we must fight back against this deliberate attack. Roosevelt tries to prove that the war was deliberate by stating facts about the peace messages from the leader of Japan, the distance from Japan to Hawaii, and the preparations that would have needed to occur in order to try to argue his point and gain supporters by portraying Japan as having deliberately attacked America. Roosevelt uses anaphora in an attempt to emphasize all of the places attacked by Japan and the necessity of a war against Japan, saying, “Last night, Japanese forces attacked...” and then listing all of the attacked places. This anaphora appeals to pathos because it portrays the rampant attacks of Japan and inspires fear in the people. This fear provokes people to be more likely to go to war in order to try to prevent any more deliberate attacks. When Roosevelt says, “The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation,” he emphasizes the idea that the people would want to go to war to prevent these attacks, and he uses it to help persuade Congress, since they are theoretically the representatives of the people. Roosevelt also argues to go to war by trying to arouse a sense of nationalism from amongst the people, saying, “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”  Finally, Roosevelt concludes by stating his purpose (that the United States need to go to war against Pearl Harbor) as a result of the attacks by Japan on America, saying, “I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.” Looking from a historical perspective, his purpose was successful, since we know the United States participated in World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor. However, Roosevelt’s emphasis on Japan’s fault in the attack, as well as the motivational nationalism he attempts to inspire amongst the people, help contribute to Roosevelt’s successful purpose of declaring war on Japan.

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=3&psid=1082