How the Greatest Generation Won WWI

The Greatest Generation was the generation during World War II and the Great Depression. What made them great were their perseverance, patriotism, and sacrifice throughout the WWII era. The citizens that make up the Greatest Generation served their country in any way possible until they could no longer serve. Tom Brokaw describes the backgrounds of theses patriotic Americans, as well as their experiences during and after the war.

On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, at 7:55 AM the Japanese Empire led a surprise attack on the US Naval base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, that would leave millions of Americans in shock, and heartbroken. Before the attack, the United States kept a low profile on International affairs, and concentrated on the domestic affairs at hand. This tragic moment in American history forever remembered. It is a mournful day for the American people, although, for the Japanese Empire it was an honorable day, one they would call a

“December, 1941, a date which will live in infamy …. no matter how long it may take to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.” This famous quotation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s speech was used to show that America is strong and nothing would stop America until it has absolute victory. In President Roosevelt's’ speech, he used ethos, pathos, and logos to show how Japan was a threat to America and to assure the nation that it can overcome any obstacles if the people work together.

On December 7, 1941, tragety struck America when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. During the aftermath of this horror, America declaired war on Japan thus taking a side in world war two. Presedent Franklin Delano Roosevelt presented a speech the next day to inform the nation of his declaration of war on Japan as well as to inspire Americans in to suport the war. Roosevelt used rhetorical devices including repetition, his perspective, and personification to further his point.

Introduction: December 7 1941 marked a significant date, when the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the United States Naval base, Pearl Harbour. The day after the attack, on December 8 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt presented his Infamy Speech to American civilians stating that; “Yesterday, December 7th 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. I asked that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on December 7 1941”. The purpose of this report is to show that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had no prior knowledge about the surprise attack supported by historical evidence in comparison to Robert Stinnett’s thoughts, the American journalist and former sailor that knew about the Japanese planning a attack on Pearl Harbour in advance.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his war speech and asserted December 7, 1941 as, “a date which will live in infamy.” The United States’ naval bases stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii were struck by Japanese planes intentionally and promptly. The news of this attack on the Pearl Harbor shocked the world. It was devastating to the nation that were still in the throes of depression. Witnesses of this event painted a portrait of a nation stunned, but determined to rise again. The United States’ government had not disclosed a Pearl Harbor story to the public--that the U.S. had failed to act on advance information about a planned Japanese attack. Japan 's move against the United States was audacious enough to be considered no more than a slight possibility, although the potential for an attack had been widely discussed.

“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941’” began President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the day following Japan’s fateful attack on Pearl Harbor, resulting in the in the tragic loss of nearly two and a half thousand American lives. A date so famously proclaimed to ‘forever live in infamy,’ and so it has. This inspiring speech to Congress and the American people employed appeals and other techniques in it’s mission to touch America’s heart, both with sympathy and indignation. President Roosevelt’s use of rhetoric is extremely effective in rallying the American people to the cause of entering a war so many were reluctant to support.

“December 7th 1941- A date that will live in infamy.” This opening statement is the first powerful line said by President Roosevelt to the American people after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This greatness of this opening line will be forever be ingrained in the minds of every American citizen, especially the people who lived during the most significant war of the 20th century. The bombing of Pearl Harbor is an event that can never be forgotten, and President Roosevelt’s speech in response to this appalling attack is just as significant. The objective of this speech was to urge Congress to declare war on Japan. Roosevelt’s speech after Pearl Harbor is one of the more recognizable and important speeches in all of American history. His speech incorporates bountiful instances of rhetorical devices, such as logos, pathos, and ethos. By analyzing these rhetorical devices, one is able to see Roosevelt’s vigorous use of emotion, his strength in addressing his character and reputation rather than focusing too heavily upon appeals to logic and reason, ultimately to get the result he wants from his audience. The profound power of this speech resonates with all who read and hear it.

One of America’s most infamous attacks comes in the form of the Pearl Harbor. Throughout most of World War II, America led with an Isolationism-based policy that saw the country avoid foreign affairs. This policy was followed until the late 1930’s and early 1940’s when America began to see how the war affected its surrounding allies and the incoming threat of a possible attack in the Pacific Ocean. ‘The date the will live in infamy’ coined by sitting president Franklin D. Roosevelt, saw on December 7, 1941, Japanese airmen bombed the U.S. naval base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This horrific assault led Franklin D. Roosevelt asking Congress for a declaration of war against Japan. After one day, with an overwhelming in favor vote, America entered

“Yesterday, December 7th, 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” (1). These are the words Franklin Delano Roosevelt chose to begin his Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan. FDR’s speech was a call to arms, and in his speech he expressed outrage towards Japan and confidence in inevitable triumph. The speech was a request to declare war against Japan and to bring the United States into World War II. FDR’s speech was successful in bringing the United States into World War II because FDR presented facts explaining why war needed to be declared and used righteous indignation

The Greatest Generation was the generation during World War II and the Great Depression. What made them great was their perseverance, patriotism, and sacrifice throughout the WWII era. The citizens that make up the Greatest Generation served their country in any way possible until they could no longer serve. Tom Brokaw describes the backgrounds of theses patriotic Americans, as well as their experiences during and after the war.

On December 8, 1941, 32nd US president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivered what is considered to be of the most impactful speeches of all time to Congress. In his speech, Roosevelt declared that December 7, 1941 would be “a date which will live in infamy”, due to the deliberate Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor to hinder the Pacific Fleet’s defense against Japanese forces, that caused America to enter into WWII. Roosevelt relies immensely on the usage of Pathos, Ethos, Logos, and Kairos throughout his famous “Infamy Speech” to help persuade U.S. congressmen to declare war on Japan, and help convince and unite America to support its Allies in the war effort in defeating the Axis Powers (“Pearl Harbor, History.com”). Through the heavy use of these rhetorical devices, President Roosevelt successfully conveys why America should join in his efforts to go to war.

“The Greatest Generation” is a term used to describe the generation who were the children of the Great Depression and who became the adults of the Second World War (Brokaw). There may be strong reasons why other generations may be considered great. The generation born during the war undertook the task of putting a man on the moon. This is perhaps the most important of all human endeavors. They are certainly worthy of being considered great but not the greatest. In fifteen years America and indeed the world endured the crushing poverty of the Great Depression and the costliest war in all of human history. The enormous struggles and accomplishments of this generation is what makes it the greatest.

The Second World War was one of the most terrifying events in the world’s history. The U.S.A fights back like never before against Italy, Japan and Germany. Previously the WWII by the 1930’s America was completely poor and lost. By entering in the War, The U.S. becomes a superpower in just four years. The disruption of World War II arouses the mobilization of American industrial and in the military section. The preparation for the battle and the mobilization of the War was a complete success; purpose and determination led the U.S.A to win the WWII.

Many of the Greatest Generations’ core values have been challenged by later generations due to changes in the economy, politics, war, social equality, technology, and the family structure. The Greatest Generation, a name that journalist Tom Brokaw popularized, refers to the generation that grew up during the Great Depression, served during World War II, and then worked hard and prospered after the War. The Greatest Generation believed in following rules and not questioning authority, focusing on the nuclear family, being patriotic, working hard, saving money and owning a house. These tenets have evolved during the last fifty years for better and for worse.