The Ethos In President Roosevelt's A Date Which Will Live In Infamy

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President Roosevelt’s “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy” speech is one of most momentous speeches in U.S. History. From the first sentence, Roosevelt uses powerful language such as his continuous use the words “deliberately”, “suddenly” and “unprovoked” to convey the betrayal of the Japanese Empire. Roosevelt’s honesty in this speech by saying that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor suddenly and deliberately manifests the spirit of America in that moment in time. His words are forever engrained in the minds of the youths of future generations since it declared the United States as the superpower that it is today. Roosevelt’s timing was perfect when he met with the Congress during their joint session and pleaded with them to declare war on Japan. The …show more content…

Also, uses logos by explaining that the Japanese used logic to surprise attack the U.S and then send a message that it no longer wanted to remain in diplomatic negotiation. Roosevelt’s use of ethos is very evident during his entire speech. For example, When Roosevelt says “I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire”, the use of “unprovoked” and “dastardly” shows the emotions Roosevelt felt about Pearl Harbor. Since it was Roosevelt’s 3rd term has president, he was both highly credible and well liked by the nation, making him the perfect announcer for war. Roosevelt’s speech was the most fitting response to the betrayal of the Japanese empire and their attack on American soil. If The United States did not declare war on Japan, Japan would have only expanded its attacks on other nations including attacking America again. This speech not only resulted in America enters World War II, but also becoming the world’s most preeminent

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