A Rhetorical Analysis Of Speech By President Franklin D. Roosevelt

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On December 29, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a speech that addressed the war in Europe and Asia and the isolationist environment in America. In his speech, Roosevelt proclaimed to the American people about the dangers faced if Europe fell in the hands of Nazi Germany. Roosevelt exclaimed that the Nazis goal was to take over the world and persecute anyone who stood in their way. In addition, Roosevelt mentioned that the only thing standing between the Nazis, and the New World was Great Britain. Roosevelt said to the American people that they needed to support the British and their efforts because if the Nazis took over Britain; they would hold dominion over Europe. The Nazis would then invade the New World and would stop at …show more content…

One of the main dangers exclaimed by Roosevelt was the Nazis would stop at nothing, in order to have world domination. Roosevelt stated a quote from Hitler. “There are two worlds that stand opposed to each other...Others are correct when they say: With this world we cannot ever reconcile ourselves…I can beat any other power in the world.”(Roosevelt, 1) Roosevelt used this quote to express this threat because the Nazis felt they should be the ultimate power and authority in the world, and they felt peace would only be obtained if they held dominion of all countries. Roosevelt also used this statement to show that Nazis were merciless and willing to to use military force, in order to eradicate any opposition and instill their own ideologies throughout the world. Another example that Roosevelt used to express how the Nazis were oppressive is found in their ideologies about other people, when he states, “The plain facts are the Nazis have proclaimed, time and again, that all other races are inferiors and therefore subject to their orders.”(Roosevelt, 4) Roosevelt used this example to show that thought of themselves as the ultimate race, and they would this principle to enslave others, take away people’s rights, and rule ruthlessly over …show more content…

Roosevelt expresses that the freedom of democracy would be crushed, if the Nazis attacked or took over America. In fact, Roosevelt expresses how drastic and heartless the Nazi government would in this statement. “The proposed ‘new order’ is the very opposite of a United States of Europe or a United States of Asia. It is not a Government based upon the consent of the governed. It is not a union of ordinary, self-respecting men and women to protect themselves and their freedom and their dignity from oppression. Its is an unholy alliance of power and pelf to dominate and enslave the human race.” (Roosevelt, 5) Roosevelt explains the Nazi’s form of government to show Americans that their rights and freedoms would be eradicated by the Nazis.. In addition to this, Roosevelt also wanted to express that Americans will simply be persecuted and enslaved by the Nazis. Roosevelt continued to express how the Nazis government was worthless when stated, “They may talk of a ‘new order’ in the world, but they have in mind is only a revival of the oldest and worst tyranny. In that there is no liberty, no religion, and no hope.” (Roosevelt, 5) In this statement, Roosevelt fortified the argument that the Nazis would crush every freedom imaginable for the Americans, in order to establish their