Day of Infamy Speech

After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor the president knew he had to take action. While the American public had been split on whether to become engaged in World War II, this was the final straw; an attack on American soil. In this activity you will analyze the text of Roosevelt’s address to Congress asking for a declaration of war.

As you read the text, seek to identify the tone that Roosevelt is using. In other words what kind of persuasion is he using to appeal to Congress to declare war. Consider why you think he used the method he did. Finally, discuss why you believe it was successful (the vote was 82-0 in the Senate and 388-1 in the House).