Fdr Infamy Speech Summary

On December 7, 1941, the United States of America was attacked by the Japanese naval and aerial forces on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. Following the devastating event, FDR addressed to Congress to declare war on the Japanese Empire. President Franklin D. Roosevelt knew how to get the people of the nation to understand that the attack on Pearl Harbor called for a war. His convincing tactics and approach to his audience demonstrated that a declaration for war was imperative. FDR uses emotional words, his position of authority and his knowledge of the Japanese attacks to rally the American people to support the war effort. However, his use of the emotional appeal, pathos, is more persuasive that ethos or logos.

Before the United States declared

“A date which will live in infamy..,” is automatically a somber tone that causes realization to the audience that the attack had caused damage all over the nation. Although FDR’s tone is very somber, he speaks with anger. FDR gave the people reason to be angry at the Japanese when he says that the attack was “unprovoked and dastardly,” concluding that the United States gave the Japanese Empire no reason to “suddenly and deliberately attack” the nation. According to FDR, the “United States was at peace with that nation,” and therefore, this “form of treachery” was unacceptable (Address to Congress). He proceeds by stating that he was regretful to tell them that many American lives were lost and that many of the naval ships have been torpedoed “on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu” (Address to Congress). The military deaths were very upsetting because the soldiers, and the nation as a whole, did not expect the Japanese to attack Pearl Harbor. Although the Japanese were being known to become more militaristic, and also having broken off diplomatic relations with the United States, nobody saw this as a prelude to war (U.S News). Because of this attack, it meant a drastic change for the nation. The people knew that this was a calling to contribute to the war. Their attitudes were to be changed because of the war. They knew they had to contribute

The nation was devastated by the surprise attack that the Japanese Empire had done on the island of Oahu. However, the nation supported the war effort because FDR expressed it imperative throughout his entire speech. FDR uses emotional phrases, his position of authority, and as well as the knowledge he had about the Japanese attacks done on other nations to persuade the audience to support his decision for war. His use of pathos, ethos, and logistical appeals strengthened his beliefs and his