SOAPSTONE: FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT’S DECLARATION OF WAR. 1941

As President of the United States of America at the time this speech was delivered, Franklin D. Roosevelt's credibility is unquestionable. Moreover, his successes as president prior to this moment make him an incredibly important man, a man whose voice is extremely important in any matter involving the country. His knowledge of exact details regarding Japan's war on the pacific, as well as his knowledge involving past relations between Japan and the U.S, proves him worthy of delivering such a speech. Although he does not appeal to his ethos very much in the speech itself, there is one clear example. After informing the audience of Japan's aggressions throughout the pacific, FDR says: "As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense." Here he reassures his audience, letting them know that the defense of the country is the first most priority.

The occasion for the speech is clear from the start. The president is reacting to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, a U.S. military base located in Hawaii. At the very beginning of his speech, Franklin D. Roosevelt announces what has happened: "Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." The occasion, however, is not just the attack on Pearl Harbor, but rather Japan's numerous attacks on islands in the pacific. He talks about these attacks one by one, slowly, making sure that each one of the attacks is heard by his audience.

The speaker's audience is clear from the first lines in which he greets the people to whom he is talking: "Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives." On a larger scale, since the speech was also publically heard, the president is also addressing the people of the United States. His patriotism and criticism of Japan demonstrate how he is reaching to an American audience, an audience concerned with the well being and preservation of the United States. Also, because the president is essentially declaring war on Japan with this speech, he is speaking directly to Congress, since Congress is the government body in charge of declaring war.

Franklin D. Roosevelt's purpose in this speech is to rally the government and the people of his country behind a war against Japan. In the first part of his speech, the president tries to evoke anger and sadness by describing the attack on Pearl Harbor. His mention of the losses suffered in the attacks reaches out to people's feelings, making them automatically side against the Japanese. In a second step towards generating hostility towards Japan, FDR lists Japan's attacks on several pacific islands. In talking about Japan's deception in their peace talks, the president is listing yet another reason for which Americans should feel attacked and threatened. Then, in order for his audience to think about their safety, FDR starts to talk about the defense of the country, and how he is devoting all his resources towards that goal. He closes with assurances of American victory, generating enthusiasm in his audience.

The subject of this speech is not only implied, but also explicitly stated by the speaker. Franklin D. Roosevelt wants people to know of Japan's aggressive military actions, including an attack on American soil. He wants people to know that war is inevitable, the only possible response to Japan's attacks.

Franklin D. Roosevelt's voice changes throughout the speech. He begins in a resentful, insulted tone when speaking of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Because Japanese diplomats had led Americans to believe that relations between the U.S. and Japan were peaceful, the sudden attack on Pearl Harbor comes as a shock. FDR uses words like deliberate and premeditated to indicate the nature of Japan's bombing of Pearl Harbor, which hurts the audience deeply. The president's description of Japanese aggression throughout the pacific is meant to scare, anger, and shock the audience all at the same time. There is a clear change of tone right after FDR finishes describing Japan's attacks throughout the pacific. His tone is now enthusiastic, patriotic, and reassuring. He promises the defense of the country and shows no tolerance for any attacks on the country. In the following line, Franklin D. Roosevelt uses both tones to send a clear message: "No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory." There is sadness and anger at the beginning followed by optimism and enthusiasm. Aside from these, the president appears to be very calm. This is extremely important in showing the strength of the country as well as its plans for the future. He shows the American people that he is their leader, he shows them that he can handle this type of situation.