Primary Source Document Analysis: New York Times Article - December 9, 1941. U. S. DECLARES WAR, PACIFIC BATTLE WIDENS UNITY IN CONGRESS. (ARTICLE)Washington, Dec. 8.--The United States today formally declared war on Japan. Congress, with only one dissenting vote, approved the resolution in the record time of 33 minutes after President Roosevelt denounced Japanese aggression in ringing tones. He personally delivered his message to a joint session of the Senate and House. At 4:10 P. M., he affixed his signature to the resolution. There was no debate like that between April 2, 1917, when President Wilson requested war against Germany, and April 6, when a declaration of war was approved by Congress. President Roosevelt spoke only 6 minutes and 30 seconds today compared with Woodrow Wilson's 29 minutes and 34 seconds. The vote today against Japan was 82 to 0 in the Senate and 388 to 1 in the House. The lone vote against the resolution was in the House that of Miss Jeanette Rankin, Republican, of Montana. Her "No" was greeted with boos and hisses. In 1917 she voted against the resolution for war against Germany…. A Sudden and Deliberate Attack President Roosevelt's brief and decisive words were addressed to the assembled representatives of the basic organizations of American democracy--the Senate, the House, the Cabinet, and the Supreme Court. "America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan," he said. "We will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us, God." Thunderous cheers greeted the Chief Executive and Commander in Chief throughout the address. This was particularly pronounced when he declared that Americans "will remember the character of the onslaught against us," a day, he remarked, which will live in infamy. "This form of treachery shall never endanger us again," he declared amid cheers. "The American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory." Then, to the accompaniment of a great roar of cheering, he asked for war against Japan…. Mentioning one by one in staccato phrases the Japanese attacks on the Philippines, American Midway, Wake and Guam Islands, British Hong Kong and Malaya, he bluntly informed the people by radio and their representatives directly: "Hostilities exist. There is no blinking the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. 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." Victory May Take Time, He Warns It may take a long time, Mr. Roosevelt warned, "to overcome this premeditated invasion," but of the unbounding determination of the American people and confidence in our armed forces, neither he nor they had any doubt. Then he said: "I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire." It was to a solemn Congress and grim galleries that the President mentioned the casualties in Hawaii--officially estimated at 1,500 dead and 1,500 wounded. Mr. Roosevelt spoke concisely, clearly, and to the point to an already convinced audience already stirred to belligerency by the wantonness of the Japanese attack. Extraordinary precautions were taken by the Secret Service to guard the President during his short trip over the indirect mile and a quarter route from the Executive Mansion to the Capitol and back to the White House.
Analysis Questions
1) According to the article, how does FDR's speech compare to President Wilson's? a) What does this suggest to you about the difference between the US involvement in World War ll in comparison to US involvement in World War l?
2) What adjectives does the article use to describe President Roosevelt's speech?
3) What adjectives does the article use to describe the mood or tone of the room during the speech?
4)Why do you think the article mentions: "Extraordinary precautions were taken by the Secret Service to guard the President during his short trip over the indirect mile and a quarter route from the Executive Mansion to the Capitol and back to the White House"? What might this communicate to the readers?