The Pearl Harbor on the West Coast was attacked by the Japanese militant on December 7th, 1941. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the president on the United States during the Pearl Harbor attack by the Japanese (Roosevelt, 1995, p.20). As a result, the president of United States had to give a statement concerning the attack of the American land and strategies to counter the attack on Pearl Harbor. This paper will discuss how Roosevelt used moving words that played an effective role in propelling the US to declare war on Japanese empire. Firstly, the paper will discuss the role of ethos that is based on credibility of the President’s information as he outlined the events of Japanese attack on other nation states. Secondly, the effective use of pathos that demonstrates the American values by pointing out that America was a peaceful nation and due to the attack, the country had to act. Thirdly, the use of Logo’s in the president’s speech shows that Japan had premeditated its attack through the series of many islands bombed.
Firstly, the use of ethos signifies the credibility of the source. Roosevelt’s speech was appealing to many people as he was the president of the United States and was in the fourth term as a president (Roosevelt, 2005, p.23). This means that as the head of state, his statement on the attack on Pearl Harbor was vital as he had to make sure his speech represented the majorities’ voice. Through the president’s speech, he had to give significant information to the Americans and the press so that the public can know that Pearl Harbor attack was a surprise. The President’s speech emphasizes that the attack was “deliberate and sudden to the US by the naval and air force of Japan Empire (Roosevelt, 2007, p. 32).” In addition, Roosevelt explains that Japan not only targeted the US but also other islands such as Malaya, Hong Kong, Guam, Philippine, and Midway Islands. Through this information, the Americans could understand that the Japanese had preempted its attack on various nation states. This indicates that Americans had to declare on the Japanese Empire as a way of ensuring that national attack on the American soil will not be repeated again.
Secondly, pathos effectively stirs emotion to the audience through the use of an affirmative tone when giving the speech. Pathos help to communicate the message to the audience as it shows the emotional appeal based on some of the societal values that had been tarnished by another force, Japanese Empire (Roosevelt, 1995, p.47). Attack of the Pearl Harbor was emotional to many Americans as many innocent lives were claimed in the attack and the country was in a state of shock and terror (Roosevelt, 2007, p.36). This event reflects what happened in 9/11 where everyone was in a state of fear and anger because of the attack. The president carefully asserts that the US is a peaceful nation (Roosevelt, 1995, p.40). However, the US had been provoked, which meant that they had to act militarily so as to ensure such an act did not get repeated again. This form of appeal shows that the government as a whole had to act on the act of terrorism and attack through launching declaring war with the Japanese empire. Japan had sparked a fuse in the pacific region where it launched an attack on six or so islands and the US (Roosevelt, 2007, p.53). This indicates that the Japan Empire had set up its targets before the bombing took place in 1941.
Thirdly, Roosevelt’s use of logos in his speech effectively communicates deeply to the people by asserting the need to use action as a way of avenging the Pearl Harbor bombing. Roosevelt writes that “There is no blinking at the fact that our people, territory, our interests as in grave danger As Commander in Chief of the Armed forces I have directed all measures to be taken for our defense that will always will (Roosevelt, 2007, p.35)” This indicates that the president is calling for affirmative action and attack of the Japan Empire with the aim of safeguarding the American territory. Roosevelt discloses that during the attack, he was on a telephone call with Japan that created a false appeal towards the Japanese government not knowing of the attacks (Roosevelt, 2007, p.37-40). In real sense, the Japan Empire had recorded the distance between Japan and Hawaii prior to the attack. This relevant information shows that Japan had planned and instigated the attack on the Pearl Harbor to weaken the militant capability of the US.
In conclusion, it is evident that Japan’s attack of the Pearl Empire was premeditated as Japan attacked six Islands all together. As a result, Roosevelt who was the president of US during the attack used ethos, pathos, and logos in his speech so as to stir emotion to the American people and give them vital information that justified the involvement of US on war. Ethos signifies the credibility of information given and who delivers the information itself. Roosevelt as a president was credible and appealing to the American people as he was loved and respected. This sets a good stage for Roosevelt to share information with the American public on the attacks by Japan Empire. Secondly, pathos play an effective role as they have an emotional appeal. Roosevelt lets the public know that a number of innocent lives were claimed during the attack and that they had been provoked. To assert his ideas and motives, Roosevelt uses logos that claim the vitality of US attacking Japan as a way of safeguarding its territory.
References
Roosevelt, F. D. (1995). America's entry into World War Two. Fredericksburg, Tex.: Awani Press.
Roosevelt, F. D. (2007). Day of Infamy Speech Given before the US Congress December 8 1941. New York: Project Gutenberg.
