Franklin D. Roosevelt

For a Declaration of War Speech

Background InformationAt 7:53 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, 1941, the first assault wave of Japanese fighter planes attacked the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, taking the Americans completely by surprise.

Background Information cont.The first attack wave targeted airfields and battleships. The second wave targeted other ships and shipyard facilities. The air raid lasted until 9:45 a.m. Eight battleships were damaged, with five sunk. Three light cruisers, three destroyers and three smaller vessels were lost along with 188 aircraft. The Japanese lost 27 planes and five midget submarines which attempted to penetrate the inner harbor and launch torpedoes.

Background Info. continuedThree prime targets; the U.S. Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers, Lexington, Enterprise and Saratoga, were not in the harbor and thus escaped damage.

U.S.S. Enterprise

Background Information cont. The casualty list at Pearl Harbor included 2,335 servicemen and 68 civilians killed, and 1,178 wounded. Over a thousand crewmen aboard the USS Arizona battleship were killed after a 1,760 pound aerial bomb penetrated the forward magazine causing catastrophic explosions.

Background info. continued News of the "sneak attack" was broadcast to the

American public via radio bulletins, with many popular Sunday afternoon entertainment programs being interrupted. The news sent a shockwave across the nation, resulting in a tremendous influx of young volunteers into the U.S. Armed Forces. The attack also united the nation behind President Franklin D. Roosevelt and effectively ended the American isolationist movement.

Background Info. continuedOn Monday, December 8, President Roosevelt appeared before Congress and made this speech asking for a declaration of war against Japan, calling the previous day "...a date which will live in infamy..."

For a Declaration of War Speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt 12/08/41

At this time, teacher will play audio of FDR’s famous speech. Read along with your copy as you listen.

Look for examples of • Bias• Emotional factors• Semantic slanting.

Record in Writer’s Notebooks.

What happened after the speech?

Three days later, December 11, Japan's allies, Germany and Italy, both declared war on the United States. The U.S. Congress responded immediately by declaring war on them. Thus the European and Southeast Asian wars had become a global conflict with the Axis Powers; Japan, Germany, Italy and others, aligned against the Allied Powers; America, Britain, the Soviet Union and others.

Create a symbol that represents Roosevelt’s feelings

After reading the speech, it is obvious that Roosevelt had very strong feelings about the United States being attack by Japan. Come up with a symbol that represents these feelings and quickly draw it. Then, write a sentence why the symbol is representative of Roosevelt’s feelings.

{After a couple of minutes, you may share with class.}

Author’s purposeWhat was the main purpose(s) of Roosevelt’s speech, “For a Declaration of War?”

Author’s argument

What is the main idea, or argument, presented in this piece of writing?

Another argument?

What is another argument that Roosevelt could have included in this speech?

Literary Effects

What is the effect of beginning the selection with the phrase, “Yesterday, December 7, 1941--a date which will live in infamy—the United States was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the

Empire of Japan”?

The purpose of Roosevelt’s language?

What is Franklin D. Roosevelt’s purpose in saying, “With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God”?

7 multiple-choice questions about the speechOn a piece of paper, number from 1-7. You will write down an answer for each

question that comes.

Question 1

1. What is the most commonly used persuasive technique in the selection?

a. statisticsb. repetitionc. semantic slantingd. bandwagon Give an example to support your answer!

*

Question 2

2. Which of the following is not a supporting detail for the main argument?

a. Japan suddenly and deliberately attacked us.

b. Other countries are ready to help us in our fight.

c. Many American lives have been lost in the attack.

d. America must defend itself so that this never happens again.

Question 3

3. Based on the selection, which of the following best describes Franklin D. Roosevelt?

a. troubled and determinedb. miserable and unhurriedc. passionate and eagerd. upbeat and persevering

Question 44. Which of the following relationships is most similar to the following relationship?

United States of America : Japan

a. Martin Luther King, Jr.: John F. Kennedyb. friend : enemyc. United States of America : Canadad. dog : mailman

Question 55. Based on the selection, which of the following statements is the best assumption about the author’s background?

a. Franklin D. Roosevelt has dealt with difficult issues in the past

b. Franklin D. Roosevelt has fought in a war previously

c. Franklin D. Roosevelt grew up in a strict household

d. Franklin D. Roosevelt experienced trouble in his marriage

Question 6

6. Based on the selection, what motive drives Franklin D. Roosevelt’s argument?

a. He wants to shock American citizens with his ideas.

b. He genuinely wants the two countries to reach out to each other.

c. He wants to launch an attack against Japan because of their actions.

d. He wants to admit that Japan was justified in their attack.

Question 7

7. How does Franklin D. Roosevelt show bias on the topic of declaring war?

a. He believes the best way to make a difference as a president is to leave a legacy.

b. He believes the best way to make a difference on the world is to start a war.

c. He provides readers/listeners with multiple reasons for declaring war.

d. He provides readers/listeners with only one reason for declaring war.