Lesson #17 - World War II

I listened to the Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation, FDR's speech made the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor in which he asked congress to declare war on Japan. I thought the speech was very effective in pointing out the reasons the U.S. should go to war with Japan. FDR focused on how Japan had been deceiving the U.S. by engaging in talks about maintaining peace in the Pacific, giving false statements and expressions of hope for peace with the U.S. when all the while Japan was planning to attack Pearl Harbor. FDR explained the evidence for this, showing transparency to Americans listening to him, and spoke slowly and solemnly to convey the seriousness of the situation. FDR also used the word "deliberately" multiple times to emphasize Japan's malicious intentions and to reveal it as a great and devious enemy. I felt the president did a good job of pitting the U.S. against Japan to gain support for the war.
FDR also noted Japanese attacks on other Pacific islands that had occurred the night before and that morning, illustrating how the country was dangerous and gaining power. The president said that war with Japan was necessary to eliminate that rising power, and the fear of such treachery against the U.S. ever being committed again. He made sure Americans knew that Japan was endangering them, that it was the enemy and it needed to be stopped.
This speech was effective because FDR touched on all the areas of discussion that needed to be addressed. He expressed sorrow for those that died in the attack. He built up the idea of an enemy leering over the U.S., plotting and posing a large threat to the security of the nation. And he expressed confidence that America would defeat Japan if it entered the war, rousing the nationalistic pride of the American people.

I read the Four Freedoms from FDR and have to say, it was quite amazing. FDR had such a great way of putting together words and firing up our spirit. He talked about how the Americans can't back down and how it won't be so easy for us to enter this war as it has been in the past. We have been in many wars, and know how it is. We have to stand strong and fight-fight for a world against dictators. There is some basic needs that we require of course-food, clothing, housing, a life. His vision, in the future, after the war is over-is four freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression, the second is freedom of religion and worshiping god in your own way, the third is freedom from want, a healthy habitat for everyone everywhere in the world and the four is a freedom of fear. This is vision-something that he hopes won't be something so far away, just out of our reach. This is FDR's hope that life will be exactly this way, these four freedoms will be free to express themselves. Now, there is the war, and there is sacrifice. But in the future, there is peace. And the four freedoms.

I listened to President Franklin's Pearl Harbor address to the Nation. His speech was him asking to declare war on Japan after the Pearl Harbor bombings. I thought that he did a very nice job in this speech. His emotion showed his sorrow for those who had been killed in the bombings, while what he was saying showed he was ready to go to war with Japan, putting confidence in the people living in the United States at the time. In his speech he also got people ready for the war by showing them exactly what had went on and exposing the mean spirt in the attack that had happened the day before. Over all think that it was a perfect speech all around to rally the people but also talk about a very serious topic.

I listened to Winston Churchill's Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat.

It was easy for me to see how he was able to whip a crowd, a populace, an entire nation into a frenzy. He offers the hard path, but not an impossible one. He offers an unpleasant path, but an honorable one. He portrays Britain as small in the face of the German opposition, but joined together, determined, committed to victory. A single, defiant candle in the darkness. This reminds me of one of the lines in Macbeth: "Come wind, blow wrack! At least we'll die with harness on our back!" It reminds me (for those of you geeky enough to watch The Lord of the Rings) of the charge of the Roherim, as their stronghold is crumbling around them. They know they will probably die. They know they will probably fail. But they will fight, and they will fight, united, until the bitter end.

Suffice to say, If I was in Britain when this speech was given, I'd be finding a recruiter's office as fast as I could.

I read Winston Churchill's "We Will Fight on the Beaches", which is a reflection on the battle and evacuation of Dunkirk and the battles to come. The speech was mainly a dramatic overview of the battle and how valiantly the troops fought. I think Churchill was wise to praise all of the troops who fought, including the French and Belgian troops. He also praised the RAF and the Royal Navy, as well as the fishing ships and hospital ships that helped ferry soldiers to safety as well. It was also good that Churchill offered praise and comfort to families with soldiers wounded or killed in battle. I thought most of the speech was a good retelling of the battle, but it was a little too long for a speech. The end of the speech was much more powerful, talking about how Britain would fight everywhere they needed to in order to win and protect their country. I think the speech should have had more of the powerful statements about future battles and fighting until the end, and less of the retelling of Dunkirk, although it was interesting.

I listened to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation." On the whole, it didn't sound like the speech was terribly emotional or that Roosevelt was using propaganda to win immense popular support for a war with Japan. Instead, I think he really did a nice job of just summarizing the events of the previous day, making some inferences, mourning those who had been lost, and giving a sense that this was not a fatal blow to America and that we would be ready to move on. It seemed that, even without propaganda and a definitive rallying cry, Roosevelt still made a good case for war with Japan, citing not only the attack on Pearl Harbor but also other actions by the Japanese in the Pacific and their increasing hostility to an American presence. I think it was a very good, intellectual speech.

I listened to the Pearl Harbor address, and thought that President Roosevelt did a very successful job delivering several important messages. President Roosevelt did a good job on balancing expressing feelings of grief towards the event, and turning the attack on Pearl Harbor into fuel for war.
When asking congress to declare war on Japan, President Roosevelt expertly turning Japan into both an enemy and a fear of the American people. He mentioned that Japan (prior to the attack) gave the feeling that they wanted to maintain peace and constantly touched base on the idea that Japan had without reason betrayed American trust and stabbed the US in the back. President Roosevelt also mentioning high loss in American life and talked about Japans growing empire, mentioning other countries that Japan had attacked on December 7th and expressed his trepidation that Japan could become a serious threat to American sovereignty.
He also, however, delivered a uplifting message at the end of his speech, saying, "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...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." The Pearl Harbor address was a vital speech that united the American people in a time of crisis, raised support for the upcoming war, and brought back little courage and hope despite a horrific calamity.

Andrew Kluge

FDR begins his speech (The pearl harbor addresses to his nation) with a very famous, powerful line, "This day will live in infamy." It is very powerful in the context of how he spoke it and what the bombing of Pearl Harbor means to the american people. He has a grave air, but also one that does not show defeat, but a call for unification and the strength of the american people. He is very dignified in the way he tells the news of the bombing of the other islands, he doesn't go into great detail about what has specifically happened, because I think he does not want to scare the people. But, he does not hide what has happened either. This is an opportunity for the U.S. to rise from their slumber and become a serious power in the world.

I listened to the Pearl Harbor Address by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I think the he delivered the speech in a very good manner. He firsts explains the tragedy that happened to Pearl Harbor in a caring way and then uses Pearl Harbor as a transition into bringing up the idea of a war against Japan. He did this very nicely because he explained the events before the speech was given and it was very convincing. I really liked how towards the end, he really convinced the US that there is still hope and told the American people that they should not worry. It was a very satisfying thing to say.

I was going to look at one of Churchill's speeches, but I saw that Malone did FDR's speech and I decided to do this one to since I think so highly of Malone and try to be just like him.

Agree with Mischkaroonie. The speech was short, but to the point! Also, it was simple, and easy to understand. FDR didn't mess around with big words and concepts only politicians knew, this speech was understandable and accessible to the general public. He emphasized how Japan had continuously lead on that they had no intention of attacking the U.S., and that they really stabbed us in the backs. He showed that the Japanese had been planning this for a long time, and had DELIBERATELY deceived the U.S. and then punched 'em where it hurts. In Hawaii. Yes.

One thing I thought was interesting was that FDR really didn't try to rile up the crowd and rally all the american listeners and make them angry at Japan. He just seems very matter of fact about the entire thing.

I read the speech from Franklin Roosevelt adressing the bombing of pearl harbor. In it, he tells the American people what has happened, what he believes the true intentions of the Japanese are, and that with strength the American people and defeat them. It was a very good speech. One thing that I really liked about the speech was how upfront he was about the facts, as well as not being afraid to say that America has the potential to be in "grave danger." Admitting that the Japanese people are a real threat that will not be taken down easily was a big move. Additionally, he talks about other areas places where Japan has attacked, telling the American people that this is now an all-out war. Over all, it was a very well delivered speech that might've lacked a little urgency.

I listened to FDR's Pearl Harbor Address. I listened/read a bit of a few of the other speeches.. I felt, as opposed to the others which seemed like planned-rallies (Of course, they probably were.) that this speech was more informative. I mean, I guess that's completely sensible too. It was 'breaking the news' to thousands of Americans. It wasn't meant to rally the troops or inspire the people. It simply was what it is. Whether that in itself was inspiring or not seems arguable to me.

Although, I did feel as though the facts (or, pieces of information presented as facts) and general thoughts were laid out in an incredibly convincing manner. Immediately, it seemed as though FDR's speech was incredibly unbiased and simply a delivery. However, most American's would indeed resent the Japanese. I'm kind of curious if this speech sort of kick started any sort of anti-Japanese movements, actually.. I mean, I doubt this alone could. But, it's an entertaining thought.

Getting back on subject, I think the politics behind this seemingly short and uncomplicated address are incredibly intricate. However, I'm already getting really verbose and essays upon essays could probably be written on the subject... Again, so many entertaining thoughts...

I listened to FDR's Pearl Harbor address. Though it wasn't an extremely emotional. He did well with recapping what had happened in Pearl Harbor and also he did a good job with addressing all the reasons why a war on Japan would be in our best interest. He does well with not only telling the US what Japan has done to us, but also what they have carried out in the Pacific. FDR makes a good case for war on Japan, and without being overly emotional, he uses his words alone to convince the people of America.

I listened to FDR's Pearl Harbor speech. I thought he did a great job of explaining why we had to go to war with Japan. He stated very clearly that we were at peace with Japan, and were deliberately attacked, violating that peace. He claims that Japan deceived the US with a false expression of hope for peace. He was straight to the point and made a convincing argument without over-exaggerating details.

I listened to FDR's Pearl Harbor address to the nation. I felt like He did a great job justifying his case for going to war. He brought out some good points how the attack on Pearl Harbor had absolutely no warning. He spoke with confidence and was vary convincing.

I did Franklin D. Roosevelt's Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation. I really liked this speech, because it wasn't full of propaganda and nonsense that could confuse a lot of people. It wasn't full of little fibs that bend the truth to make the situation sound better. It simply was a speech that explained what happened and what we were going to do about it. It was short, and he didn't care whether what he said was popular to the people, he cared that he told the truth and that the people knew exactly what was going on. In that way, I believe that this was a solid, convincing speech.

I read FDR's the Four Freedoms speech. I really wish that political speechs today were more like that speech. FDR never blamed anyone for the problems facing the nation, and he outlined the problem and his proposed solution clearly. He didn't parse or obfuscate, but said exactly what he meant. He didn't feel the need to take credit for fixing all of humanities problems, or try to ensure his reelection, he just tried to convince people that his solution was a good way to protect American citizens from the war, and to improve life for other people in other nations as well.

I listened to President Franklin's Pearl Harbor address to the Nation.In the speech he showed that he felt very bad for the people who had lost there lives in Pearl Harbor. But he also made it very clear that he wanted to go to war with Japan, what most of America wanted.He also did a good job of showing the public the nature of the attack that happened that day. I think overall this was a very good and thought out speech he was able to let America hear what they wanted while touching a very serious topic.

Jimena

I listened to “Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation” by Franklin D. Roosevelt. I thought that this speech did a nice job of explaining the reasons for the U.S. to go to war with Japan. It also did nice a job of summarizing what had happened and what was going to happen. It was very straight forward, and was not filled with much emotion. I think because it was so straight forward, made it very easy to understand. In this speech FDR was also very confident, this really shows when he says, “the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.” This encourages the American people. After this speech I believe the American people were also confident with the choice of war.

I listened to “Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation” by Franklin D. Roosevelt. I thought that this speech did a nice job of explaining the reasons for the U.S. to go to war with Japan. It also did nice a job of summarizing what had happened and what was going to happen. It was very straight forward, and was not filled with much emotion. I think because it was so straight forward, made it very easy to understand. In this speech FDR was also very confident, this really shows when he says, “the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.” This encourages the American people. After this speech I believe the American people were also confident with the choice of war.

I listened to FDR's Pearl Harbor speech. I liked the way he conveyed his reasoning for going to war with Japan. He made it clear that we hadn't provoked Japan and that the attack on pearl harbor was deliberate. He also made it clear that Japan attacked America out of no where without reasoning. It convinced me that he made the right decision going to war with Japan.

- Aziza Maktal

I listened to the Pearl Harbor address by Franklin D. Roosevelt. I believe that FDR delivered the news in a very appropriate, calm manner. He first explains the tragedy that took place at Pearl Harbor, and then uses Pearl Harbor as a transition to present the thought of going to war against Japan. I thought FDR did a great job of telling the US that there is still hope, and that they need not worry. It was satisfying to listen to the speech and not hear FDR use propaganda to win support for a war with Japan. It was also a very intellectual of FDR to mourn the lives of those who died on "a date which will live...in infamy."

- Brian Lichtor

I both read and listened to Winston Churchill's "Blood, toil, tears, and sweat' speech. This was his first speech to the House of Parliament after replacing Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister. I didn't find it particularly impassioned, but it still a stirring speech. I thought it was more resolute than anything, favoring planning, forethought, and determination 'til the end to defeat Germany.
While his speech was less enthusiastic than any of Hitler's speeches, for example, I think in the long run, it was just as effective. Churchill didn't get angry, and he didn't try to mask anything. He stated that there was going to be a long road ahead of them, and victory was not guaranteed, but that Great Britain would fight as long as it could.

I listened to FDR’s address to the attack on Pearl Harbor. This speech was delivered a day after the bombing occurred. FDR explains his sorrow and regret throughout the course of this speech. He had no idea that Japan had any intention of attacking us, and was surprised due to the fact that we were at piece with Japan. His statement “a day that will live in infamy” was his way of showing the importance of this event. FDR did an excellent job of describing the horrors of this event. His description of the plane attacks, and the U.S. casualties was in depth and understandable. I thought the speech was very well made for the situation that the U.S. was in.

I read the Pearl Harbor address from FDR. It was given after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the japanese. He asking to declare war against them. It seemed that he showed his emotion towards what occurred that day. He did a good job of showing what happened, by using the phrase, "a day that will live in infamy." I like his speech and I thought that it was a moving speech and it was effective at proving the point that he wanted to make.

I read the Pearl Harbor address from FDR. It was given after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the japanese. He asking to declare war against them. It seemed that he showed his emotion towards what occurred that day. He did a good job of showing what happened, by using the phrase, "a day that will live in infamy." I like his speech and I thought that it was a moving speech and it was effective at proving the point that he wanted to make.

I listened to FDR's Pearl Harbor address to the nation. What surprised me was how he did not seem to be trying to rile the crowd. He was speaking more carefully than Hitler or Stalin did in their speeches, and seemed much less emotional. His opinion and attempt to convince his listeners seemed more subtle than theirs, because he did not raise his voice or preform in the same way that they did, however at that point there was little question that the United States would go to war against Japan, so he did not need to convince his people. His list of grievances was an echo of the enlightenment.

I listened to the Pearl Harbor address from FDR. It seemed very stiff, very well crafted, but at the same time harbored plenty of appropriate feeling in the words that were said. I found it to be very effective and convincing, even through Franklin's start-and-stop way of speaking. I was convinced by the end that Japan had done a truly heartless, atrocious, and utterly bad thing by bombing Pearl Harbor. I think many 1940's Americans would have agreed that it was an overall effective and convincing speech.

I listened to FDR's Pearl Harbor address. I thought it was very, very powerful. I felt like, even though the style was very straight forward, the meaning behind the words was clear, and I felt a sense of dread listening to it. He seemed to be a lot more collected than some other speech givers, but I think that fit the bill in this case, although I do think he could have been a little more forceful during some parts. The part that was the most interesting was when he spoke about how they had sent a letter to him an hour after the attack, with no mention of the attack, as well as the continued peace treaties up until the attack.

I listened to FDR's speech after Pearl Harbor. The speech itself was fairly simple but was incredibly well written. FDR's presentation of the speech really showed that he was furious, sorrowful and, at the same time, in complete control. There was a level tone to his voice that radiated confidence and I believe that this was key in order to show that he was confident in his decision to join WWI. Even if I wasn't aware of how history would unfold, if I had heard this speech back then in 1941, I would have been inclined to believe that this was a turning point in events.

Roosevelt’s The Great Arsenal of Democracy was delivered after Hitler and the Axis of evil had taken over much of mainland Europe, but before Japan attacked the US at Pearl Harbor.  It was an beautiful and sweeping speech that put the events in Europe and Asia in context – that is, the US was in as much danger as we had been any time since our forefathers landed at Plymouth Rock.  It asks citizens of the US to realize the growing possibility of eventually being ruled by the Axis, and it compelled the US to act with greater urgency to help the Allies with supplies and weapons.  The speech was effective and set the tone of sacrifice and intense focus that would become the norm from the attack at Pearl Harbor until VE day.  This attitude of sacrifice and national pride can still be seen today in the members of “The Greatest Generation”.

I read Winston Churchill's "Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat."
His speech was direct and addressed the matter that he was granted a commission by the King to form a new Administration, including a war Cabinet. It seems that he is a fine speaker who can command the attention of a crowd. He touches on the subject that this war is a very difficult time for everyone and that there is many, many months of long suffering ahead. His most famous line of this speech is this: I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat." He ends the speech with him uniting everyone in the war effort and telling them to go forward together, with a united strength. He also assures them that he will take the task at hand with a hopeful spirit and do everything he can to accomplish his task.