Summary

Events that occurred in the previous days:

December 7:

In the early morning hours, Pearl Harbor, the U.S. naval base at Oahu Island, Hawaii, was bombed in a sneak attack by Japanese warplanes. 18 U.S. ships were destroyed or sunk. Hundreds of planes were destroyed on the ground, and casualties amounted to more than 3,400. (In this attack the Japanese casualties were less than 100). The attack on Pearl Harbor effectively brought the U. S. into war.

Roosevelt's Response:

FDR consoles the nation, but emphasizes the evil in the Japanese attack. He declares that U.S. is now in the war, and explains that that will mean the mobilization of the entire nation. He urges the people not to listen to rumors but to turn to him to give them the correct facts, explaining that circulation of such rumors is just another tactic of propaganda intended to drive the American people apart, and extends that warning to organizations such as newspapers and radio stations. Additionally Roosevelt prepares the nation for war: a lengthy, and hard one. This address is closed with the reminder that the United States is in the midst of war, and that America is called to defend peace, and liberty. He reassures the people that the human race is on their side supporting them with their prayers that all will enjoy "liberty under God".

Analysis:

Identification of the enemy:

Clearly, Roosevelt names Japan an the aggressor and enemy behind the attack yet he warns, "remember always that Germany and Italy, regardless of any formal declaration of war consider themselves at war with the United states at this moment just as much as they consider themselves at war with Britain or Russia." Again this them appears, but through the declaration of war it is all the more important that the American people feel like they understand what is going on and who the enemy is so they can be confident in the severity of the situation, and can legitimize American involvement.

Asserting Authority:

"This government will put its trust in the stamina of the American people, and will give the facts to the public just as soon as two conditions have been fulfilled: first that the information has been definitely and officially confirmed; and, second, that the release of the information at the time it is received will not prove valuable to the enemy directly or indirectly." Here Roosevelt implies that it is by his authority that the American people should receive their information; this implies a significant amount of power. He tempers the force of this power, though, by explaining that he will enlighten them as much as he can, but it is still at his discretion.