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Rhetorical Analysis Of Pearl Harbor Address To The Nation

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December 7, 1941 a day when terror struck the United States. The surprise attack by the Japanese Empire on the United States will never be forgotten. This event caused destruction to not only helpless people but also to the country as a whole. On December 8, 1941 Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was president at the time, gave a speech titled " Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation." During this speech he was addressing both Congress and the nation about this horrible attack. I can tell that he knows and cares dearly about this topic because he states, " 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"(Roosevelt). That statement just shows that no matter what he has to do he is willing lead the American people to overcome this attack. Roosevelt had two audiences during this speech Congress and the nation. Congress heard the speech in person; whereas, the nation heard it over the radio. Even though he gave the speech to two audiences, I believe he does a good job throughout the speech of not just focusing on one audience but keeping it equal between both of them. One line in his speech states, " I believe that I interpret the will of …show more content…

When listening to his speech I could tell through his tone that he was very sincere about what he was saying and had prepared the speech before it was given. He had two purposes for giving this speech one was to inform the audience about what had just happened and the second was remind the nation to remain calm and that they were in a safe place. He reminds the nation that they are safe by stating, " ...I have directed that all measure be taken for our defense"(Roosevelt). This also ensures that he isn't just sitting back and watching it happen that he is doing something to make a

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“I have directed…I interpret the will of the Congress…I assert that I will” this language and choice of words really shows his audience that he is powerful and that he is taking charge and handling such a situation in a professional and resilient

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In the speech, he states that when the occasion arrives, he will use his presidential power, to the fullest. The speech responded to any doubt or worry Americans had. Choosing a president was still a relatively new concept, during that time. He essentially makes a promise to the people, in which they can rely on him to be a leader and representative

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The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor the morning on December 7th, 1941. On December 8th, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the nation with a powerful speech, “Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation”. It was one of the most influential speeches in history. The purpose of great speeches like those is to persuade people of other’s beliefs. Political leaders usually use rhetorical techniques to persuade their audiences of their beliefs.

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On December 8th, 1941 Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered a speech to the House of Representatives, Members of the Senate, the House Speaker, to the Vice President, and to the American people. Franklin spoke of the incident of the attack on Pearl Harbor the day after it occurred. Mr. Roosevelt was stern and concise. He spoke on the occasion of tragedy to inform the House and the American people what the Japanese have done.

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Roosevelt effectively uses rhetorical techniques to ensure trust with his audience through the use of emotional diction, and repetition to appeal to his audience and help rally support for the war effort. Roosevelt’s speech inflamed the passions of the American people to the point that the day after Roosevelt’s Pearl Harbor speech Congress declared war on Japan with the support of the majority of the American people. His mastery of rhetorical devices and language helped to get the U.S. on board to enter World War II which eventually helped to turn the tide of the war in the favor of the Allied forces. With his speech, Roosevelt was able to provide comfort to the U.S. people and inspire them to enter the war which makes his declaration of war one of the most powerful in

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Pearl Harbor Address “Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked” (Roosevelt). A powerful quote from President Franklin D. Roosevelt which many are familiar with that helped to push the United States to formally declare war on the Japanese Empire. The United States was not expecting an attack from the Japanese Empire. “There had never been any attempt to cover the full 360 degrees around the islands…though it was well recognized that…was necessary in order to report the presence of enemy carriers.” The Japanese attacked the naval base at Pearl Harbor for two hours leaving devastation behind, naval ships were destroyed and lives were lost.

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Considering the state that the country was in after the attacks, the presentation of this speech may have seemed an almost necessary thing to do for the president. However, the use of rhetoric goes above and beyond the basic presidential speech, it enables a connection with the American people on a personal level. Overall, we will never forget the events of that day, but we will especially remember how we pulled together as a nation, and how President Bush’s speech aided that feeling of

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Bush’s speech contained all the elements of ethos, logos, and pathos in his speech addressing the traumatic events that happened on September 11, 2001. Bush was able to address the country and stand up to what happened and take control of what is to happen next. In our life today, there are a lot of things that happen whether it be something that us kids deal with at school like who left the garbage on the floor or whether it be out in the world in an event when someone gets shot and we are trying to figure out who did it. We need more people like President Bush in both situations where people stand up and take responsibility for what they did or what happened. The world is a big place and everyone needs to work together to make things change.

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The fact that many lives were lost and many families were damaged, shows that this was an extremely emotional time for America. FDR, as mentioned before, begins this address to the nation in a very somber tone to show the effect these attacks have had on the morale of the country. With the seriousness FDR shows in the beginning, it makes the American people pay attention and really digest the message he is giving them. Another huge emotional appeal President Roosevelt plays on is painting Japan as the true enemy to American peace. FDR, in an attempt to explain the rift with the Japan says, “Hostilities exist.

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His speech that was broadcasted to the entire world highlighted everything America needed at this time of grief, and will forever be remembered. In the introduction of Bush’s speech, he describes the despicable acts of terror our country witnessed that day. Bush shows his compassion for those affected by the attacks. He knew he could not repair what had been done, but he knew we could fight back.

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Given that he spoke for the American people, he implies that as a nation, we have had to make some difficult choices, but, yet we make those decisions with courage and determination that keeps us united. This is one of the many points that highlights his speech. Giving positive and strong statements adds strength to his speech which keeps his audience occupied with his words. Hence, it is very important that audience is listening and comprehending what is being

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Franklin Roosevelt uses pathos, ethos and logos all throughout his speech. “December 7th 1941- A date that will live in infamy.” This quote will forever be in the minds of Americans. The bombing of the Pearl Harbor is an event no one can forget and neither is Franklin Roosevelt’s speech. It was this that brought American into World War Two and changed history.

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In conclusion from both events of Pearl Harbor and 9/11, we have learned that we still stood strong as a nation. We never gave up and never will. Both presidents during each event gave a very respectable speech. We can see from each speech that there were different vibes. Roosevelt believed in our arm forces would get the job done.

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He states, “We will defend our allies and our interests; we will show purpose without arrogance; we will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength; and to all nations, we will speak for the values that gave our nation birth.” The repetition of “we will” brings determination, and inclusiveness towards the audience. Bush outlines what America will do as a country, not what he will do as an individual. The American people feel united with Bush as if they are all the same team. He avoids speaking out his own political aims that might be deemed as controversial.

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