On December 8th, 1941, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s delivered his “Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation” speech to Congress the day after the Japanese attacked the U.S. Naval base in Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. The speech would go on to be known as one of the greatest and most remembered speeches throughout history, gaining several different titles such as “Pearl Harbor Speech”, “A Day Which Will Live in Infamy”, and “Day of Infamy”. Roosevelt’s strong choice of words set out to convey the sense of betrayal that had transpired between the United States and the Emperor of Japan.
Roosevelt’s desire to encourage Congress to declare on the Japanese would be well know in his speech. “December 7th, 1941, a day that will live in infamy” (Para 1) would
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He uses key words to make memorable phrases though out his speech. The word “infamy” would be a key works that would set the tone of his speech, which he would then go on to use pathos to convey to his audience the emotional purpose and aim to enter into World War II. Roosevelt would state that the “United States had originally been a Nation at peace with the Japanese and suddenly and deliberately attacked.” Reminding his audience that at the time, before the attack the United States was neutral with little involvement into the war that had been raging on in …show more content…
Roosevelt directs his attention into taking measures in the defense of the Nation. Stating “Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interest are in grave danger.” (Para 11) communicating to Congress and the American people the feel of heavy betrayal. “Our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us” (Para 8) rallying and calling the American people to arms as well as using his position as president to state, “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.” (Para