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Pearl Harbor Speech Rhetorical Analysis Essay

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Pearl Harbor Speech Rhetorical Analysis Essay
Franklin D. Roosevelt asked “that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.” to the nation. Declaring a state of war with Japan and convincing the people to support the war effort. The Pearl Harbor address to the Nation delivered by Franklin D. Roosevelt is one of the most famous speeches in American history. Roosevelt uses many rhetorical strategies to convince his audiences and relay his intent to the people and Congress. I will address his audiences, rhetorical strategies, and my opinion on the persuasiveness of his speech. The Pearl Harbor address to the Nation was directed to Congress and …show more content…
Since the attack on Pearl Harbor was an act of terrorism and endangered our soldiers. It was not difficult to appeal to the people’s emotion and convince Congress to issue a state of war against Japan. Seeing as it took not even an hour, but 33 minutes after Roosevelt delivered the speech for Congress to declare war on Japan. Moreover, being the President of the United States also establishes his credibility and a figure to believe amongst the people of America as well as announcing that as “Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.”. Further proclaiming his authority. In conclusion, Roosevelt managed to relay his intentions to Congress and the people and acquired the effect he desired from his speech. Roosevelt addressed both his audiences in his speech, invoking an emotional response from the people and Congress to support the war effort against Japan. Furthermore, Roosevelt managed to achieve this by mainly using pathos to appeal to the audience’s emotions. America changed from a peaceful state to a state of war after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Overall, Roosevelt’s speech was effective and convinced Congress and the people of

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