Franklin D. Roosevelt gives one of his most famous speeches only eleven months before the United States enters into World War Two. Europe has been at war for one year, four months and five days. In this address, FDR has two focuses, his plan to support the nation’s allies in Europe and build up the economy to aid both his international and domestic agenda. FDR uses the rhetorical appeals logos, ethos, and pathos to support his rally of the American people to the cause of the war effort in World War Two.
To substantiate his pathetic goal, President Roosevelt uses multiple logical methods in his address. He focuses on how the US is strong enough to hold its own borders against the world and how it has a duty to help defend the nation’s foreign …show more content…
He describes the current stasis of the war under the impression of the “realist”, supporting his credibility as the Unites States Commander-in-Chief. FDR conveys the urgency of preparing for war through ethical good character. He mentions “They (enemy dictators) did not wait for Norway or Belgium or the Netherlands to commit an act of war” (Roosevelt). This statement portrays FDR as a president who is informed and knowledgeable of the world situation; he is exemplifying good sense. He continues this theme of knowledgeability lather in the speech. He uses sentence beginnings like “I have called…I am assured” to smoothly transition from his pathetic leaning economic policy (Roosevelt). He further seals his authority as president citing his “constitutional duty to “give the Congress information of the state of the union”” (Roosevelt). FDR tees up his policy statements with a call to action. He cautions against his opposition, referring to them as “that small group of selfish men who would clip the wings of the American eagle in order to feather their own nests” (Roosevelt). This metaphor logically associates anyone who opposes the war as anti-patriots, intent on maiming America. It also supports FDR as the quintessential strong supporter looking toward the United States’ best interest. Roosevelt needs all of the ethical results he has developed. Not only is he asking for support but for …show more content…
Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech was meant to rally the United States out of neutrality. And it succeeded; American joined the effort to “pursue a global struggle … not for the character of the combat, but for the rightness of the cause and the unity of purpose” that the president had convinced them of (Kaye). FDR uses all the rhetorical appeals to support his pathetic goal. He used ethos to support him in the role of war-time president, logos to illustrate the reasons to end America’s neutral stance and pathos to rally and prepare the American people to support and eventually enter the war. This speech exemplifies one key aspect of presidential rhetoric, a national pep talk. President Roosevelt used this speech to convince the public that war was an obligation, not an option. He turned his policy into fundamental rights. Rather than giving the general public a choice, he states his plan as the only selection. FDR’s speech shows the importance of the president to be able to unify the nation in both times of crisis and in times of peace. Because of FDR’s rhetoric, both in this speech and his famous fireside chats he has become “an icon of national compassion”
To substantiate his pathetic goal, President Roosevelt uses multiple logical methods in his address. He focuses on how the US is strong enough to hold its own borders against the world and how it has a duty to help defend the nation’s foreign …show more content…
He describes the current stasis of the war under the impression of the “realist”, supporting his credibility as the Unites States Commander-in-Chief. FDR conveys the urgency of preparing for war through ethical good character. He mentions “They (enemy dictators) did not wait for Norway or Belgium or the Netherlands to commit an act of war” (Roosevelt). This statement portrays FDR as a president who is informed and knowledgeable of the world situation; he is exemplifying good sense. He continues this theme of knowledgeability lather in the speech. He uses sentence beginnings like “I have called…I am assured” to smoothly transition from his pathetic leaning economic policy (Roosevelt). He further seals his authority as president citing his “constitutional duty to “give the Congress information of the state of the union”” (Roosevelt). FDR tees up his policy statements with a call to action. He cautions against his opposition, referring to them as “that small group of selfish men who would clip the wings of the American eagle in order to feather their own nests” (Roosevelt). This metaphor logically associates anyone who opposes the war as anti-patriots, intent on maiming America. It also supports FDR as the quintessential strong supporter looking toward the United States’ best interest. Roosevelt needs all of the ethical results he has developed. Not only is he asking for support but for …show more content…
Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech was meant to rally the United States out of neutrality. And it succeeded; American joined the effort to “pursue a global struggle … not for the character of the combat, but for the rightness of the cause and the unity of purpose” that the president had convinced them of (Kaye). FDR uses all the rhetorical appeals to support his pathetic goal. He used ethos to support him in the role of war-time president, logos to illustrate the reasons to end America’s neutral stance and pathos to rally and prepare the American people to support and eventually enter the war. This speech exemplifies one key aspect of presidential rhetoric, a national pep talk. President Roosevelt used this speech to convince the public that war was an obligation, not an option. He turned his policy into fundamental rights. Rather than giving the general public a choice, he states his plan as the only selection. FDR’s speech shows the importance of the president to be able to unify the nation in both times of crisis and in times of peace. Because of FDR’s rhetoric, both in this speech and his famous fireside chats he has become “an icon of national compassion”