Public Speeches: Collaborative Assignment
By Donald Wagner (College Now WID)
The following assignment is a collaborative effort in which the
students will analyze two important political speeches (Lindbergh‘s “America
First” speech and FDR‘s declaration of war against Japan). They will answer a
series of questions based on the information contained in the speeches becoming aware of the propaganda devices and persuasive techniques used by important
political figures during the Second World War.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s speech to Congress, December 8, 1941, asking
for a declaration of war against Japan.
“Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United
States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces
of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of
Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking
toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu,
the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to
the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this
reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic
negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious
that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During
the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive
the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued
peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to
American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In
addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between
San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout
the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the
United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the
implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures
be taken for our defense.
Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.
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.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I
assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very
certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our
territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of
our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly
attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the
United States and the Japanese empire.”
Questions for the groups to answer:
1. What is your opinion of the speech? What kind of effect did the
speech have on you? How did you feel after reading it?
2. What is infamy? Why would December 7, 1941 be a "date which will live
in infamy"?
3. Starting with Commander-in-Chief" and ending with the words "so help
us God" circle the words "we" and "us." How many times does Roosevelt repeat
these words? Why do you think he repeated these words so many times?
Excerpts from Charles A. Lindbergh’s "America First" Speech, April 23,
1941, New York City.
“I know I will be severely criticized by the interventionists in America
when I say that we should not enter a war unless we have a reasonable chance
of winning. That, they claim, is far too materialistic a viewpoint. They will
advance again the same arguments that were used to persuade France to declare
war against Germany in 1939. But I do not believe that our American ideals,
and our way of life, will gain through an unsuccessful war. And I know that
the United States is not prepared to wage war in Europe successfully at this
time…
In time of war, truth is always replaced by propaganda. I do not believe
we should be too quick to criticize the actions of a belligerent nation.
There is always questions whether, we ourselves, would do better under similar
circumstances. But we in this country have a right to think of the welfare of
America first, just as the people in England thought first of their own country
when they encourages the smaller nations to fight against hopeless odds.
When England asks us to enter this war, she is considering her own future and
that of her empire. In making our reply, I believe we should consider the future
of the United States and that of the Western Hemisphere.
It is not only our right, but our obligation as American citizens to look
at this war objectively and weigh our chances of success if we enter it. I
have attempted to do this, especially from the standpoint of aviation.; and I
have been forced to the conclusion that we cannot win this war for England,
regardless of how much assistance we extend…
…War is not inevitable for this country…Over a hundred million people in
this nation are opposed to entering the war. If the principles of democracy
mean anything at all, that is reason enough for us to stay out. If we are
forced into a war against the wishes of an overwhelming majority of our own
people, we will have proved democracy such a failure at home that there will be
little use fighting for it abroad…”
(From the New York Times, April 24, 1941, p.12)
Take-home assignment:
Using the Internet answer these three questions:
1) Who was Charles Lindbergh? Why is he an authority on America’s
possible entry into war?
2) What words does Lindbergh use to cite unity? What kinds of words
does he use? How is he persuasive in his delivery? (Circle examples on your
text).
3) Lindbergh states that "If we are forced into a war against the wishes
of an overwhelming majority of our own people, we will have proved democracy
such a failure at home that there will be little use fighting for it abroad."
Do you agree? Explain how this statement might be very timely and pertinent in
modern times, specifically war in Iraq?
In class:
Questions to answer in small groups using the cooperative learning protocol:
First, students will discuss both speeches (vis-à-vis large
group discussion). I will ask students why the speeches are so different in
tone; how they accomplish the persuasive agenda. Moreover, which speech is
more effective? Why/why not?
Take-home assignment:
FDR’s Pearl Harbor speech is one of the greatest
political speeches of all time. Use the speech as a standard or
guideline for what a great speech is research another famous political speech.
(Examples can be JFK’s First Inaugural Address, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Nixon’s “Checkers speech.” These can be found on the Internet. Analyze every aspect of the speech--content, structure, tone, word choice. Describe why this speech achieves
its desired purpose. Is it comparable to FDR’s speech? Why/why not? Write a 1 page paper.