Perspectives

Historical perspective

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Pearl Harbor” speech is considered one of the most impactful political speeches in the US. Soon after the speech was delivered, all the members of the US Congress – except for one – voted to declare war on the Empire of Japan. The US declaration of war on the Empire of Japan was followed by Germany and Italy declaring war on the US since they were both allies of the Empire of Japan. This moment marks the US involvem…

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Textual perspectives

After the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush delivered his 9/11 Address to the Nation in which he mentioned the themes addressed by Franklin D. Roosevelt in his “Pearl Harbor” speech. For example, Bush’s address to the American people portrayed the US as a victim of deliberate and premeditated terrorist attacks. This way, Bush mirrored Roosevelt’s portrayal of the Empire of Japan as the enem…