LAD #36: FDR's Declaration of War on Japan

Seven Word Phrase:

A date which will live in infamy

The Lone No Vote:

Jeanette Rankin casted the sole Congressional vote against America's declaration of war on Japan. Because of her lifelong commitment to pacifist beliefs, from her vote against WWI to her protests against the Vietnam War, during WWII the press nicknamed her Japanette Rankin.

Summary:

FDR expresses how unexpected Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor was. Even as it was occurring, America was continuing to correspond with Japan in hopes of keeping peace in the Pacific. An attack of this magnitude needs time to conduct, which makes it easy to see that Japan was just trying to deceive America. FDR also addresses the other attacks Japan has made and the injuries they have caused to America. FDR recognizes that although the attack is recent and America has traditionally held more of an isolationist view, the American people are already in favor of his declaration of war. FDR calls upon the Congress and the American people to not only defend their nation, but also ensure that a conflict like this will never happen again. Finally, FDR attests that America and its values are in danger and we must fight to uphold our integrity and safety.

America enters WWII
America enters WWI
America entered WWI for many of the same reasons as they did later for WWII. To uphold the safety of the nation. In WWI, America was threatened by Germany's constant submarine warfare and the threat of their Southern border if Mexico agreed to ally with Germany. OF course, in WWII Japan's Navy and Airforce blatantly attacked America's military base in Pearl Harbor.

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