Analysis of FDR's Address Concerning the Japanese Attacks on Pearl Harbor.
Torn by war, but transfixed by peace, Roosevelt attempts to rouse a stricken nation into a decisive, irrevocable course. His address to the Congress, given the day after the Japanese bombardment, consists of an informative request of the Congress to declare war on Japan. .
Proficient in writing and speech, Roosevelt created a successful speech that appealed to the peoples" rhetoric. The wording was simple, repetitive, and entirely straightforward - understandable by the faithful masses listening via radio broadcast. Indeed, his support was strong, with or without a speech, but speech, however, served to clearly present the specifics of the attack, the union's stand on war, and the continuing aggression of the Japanese throughout the pacific. The speech is divided into simplistic groups, usually providing a problem in one group and following it closely with a solution in the next. The problem-solution strategy made it clear that Roosevelt was undoubtedly moving to take action.
The ideas of Japanese aggression and the American "inevitable triumph" were laced sporadically throughout the speech. Regardless to the rest spoken, these two ideas were the core of the problem-solution strategy. Emphasis on the Japanese aggression being "deliberate" in several occasions during the speech made it apparent to an audience, of any mental capacity, that retaliation was entirely necessary. Roosevelt created an undeniable appeal to the common man - as that of a newspaper writing in a lower reading level of most of its readers - in order reach the largest possible audience.
In one portion of the speech, Roosevelt listed the numerous targets of the Japanese:.
"Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched attack against Malaya.
"Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
"Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
"Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.