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Former President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in his address to Congress thoroughly represents the overall opinion and determination of the nation following the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. The purpose of this speech was to create united support for retribution for what was done to the United States. With determination and an emotional tone, he expresses the desire of America to go to war with Japan, entering the global conflict of World War II.
Roosevelt begins his Congressional Address by expressing the great shock, confusion, and rage through use of strong, emotional verbs towards such a shameful act. Immediately, he demonizes the actions of the Japanese empire, stressing how they “suddenly and deliberately attacked” the United States. How, at this time of peace between the two nations “and, at the solicitation of Japan,” conversation was being held to further maintain “peace in the Pacific.” He acknowledges that, one hour after the events the previous morning, the Japanese ambassador had delivered a formal reply to an earlier American message. Yet even this message, which implied the current negotiations seemed useless, still did not hint at “war or of armed attack.” He continues to point out how, with Japan being such a great distance from the Hawaiian Islands, “the Japanese government deliberately sought to deceive” America with false talks of continued peace. That with this distance and forethought, Japan had intentionally mislead the United States into believing that the two nations were at peace. In strong, bold statements, Roosevelt demonstrates the treachery of the last day by individually listing the locations of Japanese assaults.
“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.”
Through these short, yet direct statements, he generates anger towards America’s new enemy. Out of his use of “Japanese forces” for foreign lands, and “the Japanese” for American territories and bases, Roosevelt is able to focus the audience’s rage by inferring that it was the Japanese people that were responsible for the American lives lost. Perhaps the most moving example of the emotion he projects happens when he announces, “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.” He speaks with such determined emotion in order to unite the nation and to prepare to people for war. Through these comments, he reassures Congress and the American public, who were listening to this address on the radio in their homes, that even though “our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger,” through confidence in our military and the determination of the citizens of our nation, “we will gain inevitable triumph.”
Roosevelt’s final statement sums up the actions of the previous day while simultaneously making his official request to Congress. “I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.” This statement shows that the hostilities have existed longer than we, as a nation, thought. Expressing his emotions through words like dastardly and unprovoked showed that the level of evil inherent in this military strike demanded our immediate and unwavering response.
As a result, this call to arms to Congress and the American people following a day of such dastardly betrayal, President Roosevelt was able to secure the will of the people’s desire for retribution. By addressing the nation in such a manner, he was able to gain the support for entering into war with Japan, and thus work towards not only defending ourselves from the Japanese empire, but overall victory in the Pacific.
An interpretation of former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Congressional Address on December 8, 1941
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, of the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7, 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 United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
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.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The People of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
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.
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.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the People when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our People - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941 a state of War has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.
Former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Congressional Address on December 8, 1941
