A Date Which will Live in Infamy

This one is a little longer than usual but this is my rhetorical analysis that I wrote on the attack of Pearl Harbor. Hope you enjoy! 

Is The United States of America truly known for their strength and determination to stand by our righteous beliefs? As Americans we have had many surprise attacks and each time we come back stronger and more united as a country. The attack on Pearl Harbor is no exception and is an infamous event that changed American history during World War 2. This event was the turning point in America’s involvement in the war.  In Franklin D. Roosevelt’s address to the nation after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he effectively expresses America’s relationship with Japan pre and post attack with logic, ethics, nationalism with emotion, logic with the repercussions that will occur after this surprise ambush, and ethics.

            Roosevelt starts his speech off powerful and gives American citizens informative evidence on the current situation. The first sentence of his speech states, “Yesterday, December 7,1941- a date which will live in infamy- the United States was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” This was most definitely a turning point in American history. America had limited involvement in WWII until this surprise attack. Roosevelt’s word usage is important in this speech due to America’s fragile state. Preceding his dominant introduction, he expands on the fact that America was at peace with Japan prior to this horrific event. Roosevelt states that US was still “in conversation with Japan’s government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in public.” Obviously Japan wanted to blind side the American nation, giving President Roosevelt the idea he didn’t need to worry about Japan as a threat. Logically Roosevelt speaks to the citizens of America in the beginning of his speech to inform America of their prior and post stance with Japan.  

            President Roosevelt express his emotions towards this surprise attack and how we as Americans will respond. As stated before America was at peace with Japan and had no idea that for months they were planning to destroy America’s base in Hawaii. One hour after Japan began to attack Pearl Harbor, the Japanese Ambassador delivered a formal reply to the Secretary of State stating, “it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.” This message was deliberately sent at this time so government leaders would have no idea that at that point Pearl Harbor had been attacked. Roosevelt goes on to say “it will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago.” This statement gives a sense of pride for ones country, as well as the feeling of betrayal. The idea that Japan planned out this attack and pretended to be at peace with America was emotional for President Roosevelt and he conveyed that in his speech. This attack was one of the first to show the United States that no matter the governmental stance between nations, we always need to be ready to protect our country.

            Roosevelt then alters his speech to explain the effects of this attack and convay a more somber appeal. He does this by explaining the severe damage Pearl Harbor is facing and how many American lives were lost in this tragic event. He also states, “American ships have been torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.” Explaining more detail about the events that actually occurred will then open the eyes of American citizens and give them an idea of the United States involvement in World War II. Roosevelt started out the speech strong and is now starting to add more emotion to evoke the people. He goes on to explain that Japan has also “launched attacks against Malaya, Hong Kong, Guam, Philippine Islands, Wake Island, and Midway Island.”  He does this simply to show that America will conquer Japan with the help of all the other countries that are also facing tragedies. Uniting and having support is very important during wartime and it was curial that Americans felt like they could win the war if they united. Roosevelt does an excellent job of putting an opinion in the peoples minds and pursading them to feel a sense of nationalism throughout his speech.

            Next, Roosevelt goes on to inform the country that opinions on the matter are already forming and new notions will be occurring. He says, “The facts of yesterday speak for themselves.” Before this speech was made, people were forming their own opinions and Roosevelt only enhanced those emotions through his powerful word usage and appeal to the nation. He continues on by appealing to emotion in his statement, “people of the United States well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.” He uses this to emotion to express concern and warn the people that this is only the beginning. This is America’s ticket into World War II and unifying will only help in proceeding to victory.

            As commander of the Army and Navy, Roosevelt has the authority to declare America’s involvement in the war and in order to ensure the safety of American citizens he will undoubtedly do so. This is a time when America was venerable and needed reassurance that nothing like this would happen again. Roosevelt declares, “As commander in chief of the Army and navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.” It is crucial that as president, Roosevelt converts the people and shows his leadership. He does exactly that in this speech and appeals to them with emotion and logic. Stating that America will retaliate but also expressing his remorse for the lives lost.  With his appeal, he is showing that no matter how hard another country can try to undermine America, they will always come back fighting. Ensuring American’s safety is something Roosevelt continually does throughout the speech and continues to enhance patriotism.

            Roosevelt’s stance on defending his country is portrayed in the next part of his speech as he engages more in-depth about retaliation and America’s next step. Roosevelt speaks with supremacy when he says, “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through absolute victory.” This statement is powerful and gives hope to a nation that has just faced complete tragedy. He goes on to say that America will defend them and “will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.” Roosevelt reinforces the idea that, yes-Pearl Harbor was a tragic event, but America will not rest until the Japanese Empire is immobilized. Roosevelt also adds in that he has much confidence in America’s armed forces and states that American “will gain the inevitable triumph.” Roosevelt’s message is clear that America will fight back stronger than ever before and with vengeance.

            Throughout Franklin D. Roosevelt’s post Pearl Harbor attack speech to the nation, he expresses not only the facts of the event but also what the future holds for America by relating different types of emotion. Roosevelt is consistent in this speech by tying together logic, emotion, and ethics to convey his message. He was able to thoroughly express his stance on the situation and bring hope to American citizens. Not only did Roosevelt speak formally as the president, but he let the people know that he will do whatever it takes to keep the nation safe from something like this happening again.