Rhetorical Analysis Of Pearl Harbor

The Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, was a considerable wake up call to the United States of America. It showed the holes that were in the national defense and opened the eyes of the not only the citizens but the elected officials as well, to the vulnerability of our nation and humbled the country. It also dramatically increased the United States attitude towards joining World War II from complete opposition to full blown support. On December 8th, 1941, one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor the president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivers a Congressional Speech to the Congress of the United States of America, addressing the recent Pearl Harbor attacks by the Japanese Empire. The purpose of his address is to persuade congress to declare war on the nation of Japan because they threatened the security and …show more content…
Roosevelt uses the effect of logos to persuade the audience that, Japan is a threat and that the United States must take action against the hostile nation. Examples from his speech include, “I ask that 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.” This statement prompts congress to conclude, on a subconscious level, that an attack by Japan will therefore result in a war between the United States and the Japanese Empire. Further evidence comes when Roosevelt mentions, “Yesterday the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya. / Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong./ Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam./ Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands./ Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island./ This morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.” These facts and the repetition of their beginnings makes gives the appearance that the Japanese has committed an eternity of attacks on various nations. This causes congress to view the Japanese more threateningly, like an angry lion than a