LAD #34

FDR's Declaration of War

Sometimes known as "Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation", Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave his declaration of war speech on December 8th, 1941 which came as a result of the Pearl Harbor attack. After being at peace with Japan, this was a confusing attack that was also insulting to the United States. As the attack was going on Roosevelt told us that the Japanese ambassador delivered a formal reply to an American message. This message contained no signs of war whatsoever. However, we can be sure that this attack was in fact planned as the location of it was so far from Japan, the Japanese believed that our statements of peace were false. Many American lives were lost Roosevelt said; naval forces damaged, American lives lost, ships torpedoed. But we were not the only ones he told America. The Japanese forces attacked several other countries as well in the Pacific area. Therefore, Roosevelt as Commander in Chief decided to take action for our defense and would not stop until our safety is definite. He uses the phrase, "so help us God." and asks that Congress declare war between the United States and Japan.