In late 1941, the idea that the United States would enter into WW II was becoming clearer. This idea was made certain on December seventh when Japan attacked Hawaii. The following day Franklin D. Roosevelt, president of the United States at the time, asked Congress to officially declare war on the Japanese Empire. The President used a multitude of appeals and rhetorical devices in his speech to convince Congress and the Americans that war was necessary. Roosevelt, cherished and respected, was in his second term as president. In his delivery of the speech he appeals to the Americans by making them angry with the Japanese for what they did to the United States. Logos is used often as he tells the audience what happened not only to the United
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Roosevelt set the speech as one that would demand war and vengeance. Roosevelt wants to persuade the Americans and Congress that the attacks were not an accident so he utilized an anaphora. “Last night,...last night,...last night,...” Roosevelt repeats this phrase to describe how Japan attacked all of these countries on the same night; indeed this required an immense amount of planning. This also allows the listeners to learn about all the countries that were damaged because of the Japanese.
Also talked about in the speech is how the attack by Japan was a complete surprise to America. Roosevelt tells how the United States was trying to maintain peace with Japan before the attack occurred. Thus, the President utilizes the phrases “maintenance of peace” “no threat or hint of war or of armed attack” ”false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace,” to inspire anger within Americans against
Roosevelt set the speech as one that would demand war and vengeance. Roosevelt wants to persuade the Americans and Congress that the attacks were not an accident so he utilized an anaphora. “Last night,...last night,...last night,...” Roosevelt repeats this phrase to describe how Japan attacked all of these countries on the same night; indeed this required an immense amount of planning. This also allows the listeners to learn about all the countries that were damaged because of the Japanese.
Also talked about in the speech is how the attack by Japan was a complete surprise to America. Roosevelt tells how the United States was trying to maintain peace with Japan before the attack occurred. Thus, the President utilizes the phrases “maintenance of peace” “no threat or hint of war or of armed attack” ”false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace,” to inspire anger within Americans against