Imagine that the United States was just attacked by another country. Before you
listen to this speech think about how you would feel under these circumstances.
http://youtu.be/YhtuMrMVJDk
Julia Otranto

The speaker is Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
the 32nd president of the United States.
The occasion for
which this speech is
given encompasses
the tragic event
when Pearl Harbor
was premeditatedly
bombed by the
Japanese empire.
During peace
preparations
between America
and Japan, an
interruption was
made by the
Japanese, causing
the preparations to
come to a jarring
halt.
After the dreadful
attack, involving
much destruction
and many
casualties, it was
made apparent
that Japan was no
longer interested in
continuing positive
relation with the
US. Soon after the
attack, Japan sent
a gram stating that
“it seemed useless
to continue the
existing diplomatic
negotiations”.

Franklin Roosevelt specifically addresses “Mr.
Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the
Senate and of the House of Representatives” in
his speech, although he is ultimately addressing
all of the American people.
The purpose of Roosevelt’s speech
was to inform the nation of the
tragic event that occurred at Perl
Harbor
and to inform that he
had asked Congress to
“declare that a state
of war had existed”.

Roosevelt, while telling about the attack,
reassures the people that we will fight
back and we will be successful. The
president also informs that the attack
was sudden and America did not have
clues to its occurrence.
President Roosevelt’s tone
is serious, concerned and
optimistic. Roosevelt
expresses that December
7th 1941 is
a “date which will live in infamy”.
He also says that that with our armed forces and
“determination of our people”, we would gain
the “inevitable triumph”.
Perl Harbor Address to the
Nation

Roosevelt uses ethos when he statuses
himself as “Commander in Chief of the
Army and Navy”. He informs that he has
he has directed “all measures be taken”
for the defense of our nation.

FDR appeals to the audience’s emotions
through pathos. He makes us feel
sympathy and sorrow for the lives lost,
along with betrayal from being
“deliberately” attacked by Japan.

Roosevelt uses specific details that would
prove that the attack was deliberate.

FDR repeats “Last night” multiple times.
In his speech he says “our people, our
territory, and our interests.” Roosevelt
also says “deliberately” multiple times.
To conclude, I would like to point out the
strength and confidence that Franklin
Delano Roosevelt delivered his speech. Our
country was about to enter war. Our lives
were in danger at that very moment; but
Roosevelt was able to step up, as a leader
should, and present a very effective
speech, giving confidence and
reassurance to the people of our nation.
 Thank You.

Sites
henrymakow.com
www.awon.org
www.wideasleepinamerica.com
www.americanrhetoric.com
www.csmonitor.com
en.wikipedia.org