Analysis Of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Day Of Infamy Speech

“I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire,” said President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his Day of Infamy Speech given after the attack at Pearl Harbor. By reading and analysing speeches by presidents of the United State asking congress to declare war, readers can better understand America’s state at the time of these attacks, and the aftermath and influence of the speeches themselves. On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the United States at the island of Oahu, Hawaii at our navy base, Pearl Harbor. On September 11, 2001, the terrorist group, Al Qaeda, attacked the World Trade Center in New

York City. Both presidents at the time prepared and delivered speeches asking congress to declare war on the countries that were the cause of the attack. Given that it occurred recently, some believe that President George W. Bush’s speech was one of the most powerful speeches in American history and had a greater influence. The rhetoric in Franklin D. Roosevelt's Day of Infamy was more powerful than the means of persuasion used in George W. Bush’s speech to the American people after 9/11, creating a greater influence on our country’s people and increasing enlistments.
To begin, President Roosevelt had more credibility, or ethos, by the time he delivered his “Day of Infamy” speech on December 8, 1941. For example, Roosevelt connected with the American people on a personal level through speeches given frequently during the Great Depression. History.com’s article, “The Fireside Chats”, states, “From March 1933 to June 1944, Roosevelt addressed the American people in some 30 speeches broadcast via radio, speaking on a variety of topics from banking to unemployment to fighting fascism in Europe. Millions of people found comfort and renewed confidence in these speeches, which became known as the “fireside chats’,” (History.com, 1). Furthermore, Roosevelt recognizes his position and that he is a strong leader. In his speech he says, “As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense,” (Roosevelt 2). In this line from his speech, Franklin Delano Roosevelt shows that he is a strong leader and is here to protect the American people. In contrast, George W. Bush does not show as much credibility in his speech. He does not offer his support to the American people as the president. For instance, he says in his speech, “I ask you to live your lives...I ask for your patience...I ask your continued participation…,” (Bush 2). These frequent calls-to-action throughout his speech differ from FDR offering his support and strong leadership to Americans. “American attitudes about the war change radically, [as do] American attitudes about the economy, about giving to the war. The war is not part of the culture; the war is the culture. Everything is viewed through the prism of the war effort,” (Morella, 2). This proves that FDR’s speech after Pearl Harbor got Americans excited about supporting the war effort.
Secondly, Franklin D. Roosevelt had more logos, or logic, in his “Day of Infamy” speech, than Bush in his speech after the September 11 attack. To begin, Roosevelt develops a well-states explanation of the events leading up to the attack. He says, “And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace,” (Roosevelt, 1). Through this part of his speech he explains how the attack happened and how there was “no threat or hint of war or of an armed attack” since the Japanese gave the US “false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace”. President Roosevelt also explains how he was going to go about resolving this attack on American soil. “I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire,” (Roosevelt, 2). These lines explain how Roosevelt is asking for a declaration of what that has “existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire”. Whereas, George W. Bush is vague and does not assure that specific measures will be taken for American defense. Instead he says, “Fellow citizens, we'll meet violence with patient justice -- assured of the rightness of our cause, and confident of the victories to come. In all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, and may He watch over the United States of America,” (Bush, 2). One can see from this quote that Bush took a different approach and although he declares war, he does not explain the measures that he will take to defend the United States. “After the Pearl Harbor attack, and for the first time after years of discussion and debate, the American people were united in their determination to go to war,” (History.com Staff, 1). This quote proves how after his speech and the Pearl Harbor attack, more Americans were willing to enlist.
Finally, President Roosevelt’s speech had a greater emotional appeal.

First, he had a strong call to action. His speech reads, “I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us,” (Roosevelt, 2). This example demonstrates emotional appeal through strong and encouraging language. He also uses the pronoun “us” to signal a “we are all in this together” feeling when he describes the attack. President Franklin D. Roosevelt goes on to say, “Always remember the character of the onslaught against us. 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, 2). These lines toward the end of his speech are his strong “call to action” and are meant to inspire Americans to support the war effort. Additionally, Roosevelt delivers this speech in the Capitol building in front of Congress. Setting is an important contributor to ethos and his speech being given directly to Congress in the Capitol shows that he is working hard and serious about proposing a declaration of war. A video about Pearl Harbor and the beginning of World War II says, “...surging above the fear is a wave of patriotism and outrage. Within 30 days of the attack, over 134,000 men enlist for service,” (History.com Staff, 3:50). One can see from this quote that Franklin D. Roosevelt’s speech had an emotional impact on Americans, and in result, increased

enlistments.
The rhetoric in Franklin D. Roosevelt's Day of Infamy was more powerful than the means of persuasion used in George W. Bush’s speech to the American people after 9/11, creating a greater influence on our country’s people and increasing enlistments. His three means of persuasion, (ethos, logos, and pathos), were stronger and more influential to Americans. President Roosevelt’s speech was a main contributor to the United States’ entry into World War II. Within an hour of Roosevelt’s speech, Congress passed a formal declaration of war against Japan, which ultimately brought the U.S. into World War II, (Lord, 57). Not only did his words touch Americans during a difficult day in our country’s history, but many still quote and refer to his work as inspiration today.