Roosevelt Charisma Speech Analysis

In each of the videos, the audience is able to see that the basis of charisma is primarily the result of the combination of the situation and the leader’s qualities. While watching each video, you are given the opportunity to identify each historical figures distinct leadership style, power, and communication style during times of war and exploration.

While their leadership styles may vary, Roosevelt, Lincoln, and Churchill all display legitimate power in their speeches. They use their authority to provide factual evidence to influence their audience. In President Roosevelt’s speech, Roosevelt uses his legitimate power and participative leadership style to deliver his request to Congress to declare war on Japan. He supports his request by emphasizing the fact that “the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked” and referred to the attack as a “premeditated invasion”. He influences the members of Congress when he describes the “onslaught against us” and that “the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory”.

During his speech, Lincoln displays legitimate power and directive leadership due to the complexity of the Civil War and the enormity of the casualties of the war. He appeals to his followers by stating “we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion” and that “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom…”.

Winston Churchill delivered his “We shall fight on the Beaches” speech and used his legitimate power and directive leadership style to declare victory at “whatever the cost may be”. He states, “we shall go on to the end…we shall never surrender…” to influence his listener’s and create a vision for the time of