"Day of Infamy" Speech- English 2 EOC Review

​FDR's "Day of Infamy" Speech: Historical Document EOC Review

​

​Directions:

As a team, read the following text & answer the multiple choice questions associated with it.

​

Don't forget to record your results on your team's activity tracker!

​Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy¹ — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

​

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation² of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

​¹ infamy: the state of being well known for some bad quality

² solicitation: a request; the act or process of asking for something​

​Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu,³ the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

​

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

​³ Oahu: one of the Hawaiian islands​

​The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

​

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.⁴

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.​⁵

​

​⁴ Malaya: a set of states on the Malay Peninsula & the island of Singapore under British control​

​⁵ Guam: a US island territory in Micronesia, in the Western Pacific

​⁴ Malaya: a set of states on the Malay Peninsula & the island of Singapore under British control​

​⁵ Guam: a US island territory in Micronesia, in the Western Pacific

​³ Oahu: one of the Hawaiian islands​

​Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.⁶

And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.⁷

​

​Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. 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.

​

​⁶ Wake Island: a US island territory located in the Western Pacific

​⁷ Midway Island: also known as "Mdiway Atoll," a US territory located in the North Pacific Ocean

​As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

​

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

​

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

​

​Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

​

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph — so help us God.

​

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

Multiple Choice

Roosevelt hopes the US will respond to the attack by...

• conducting a thorough investigation in order to better understand Japan's motives

• launching an attack on the Japanese mainland

• beginning development of nuclear weapons

• bolstering defenses & declaring war on Japan

Multiple Choice

Roosevelt begins paragraphs 8-11 with little variation of the words "Last night, Japanese forces…" Why is this structure effective in helping Roosevelt make his argument?

• It emphasizes the brazenness of Japan's multiple attacks against the U.S. and its allies

• It allows the reader to determine which of Japan's offenses was most destructive.

• It contrasts Japan's behavior with that of the United States.

• It presents a clear plan of response to the Japanese attacks.

Multiple Choice

What is Roosevelt's overall purpose in his speech?

• to inform Japan that the U.S. will take any means necessary to enact revenge

• to notify the American people of the losses suffered in the Japanese attacks

• to warn of impending danger in the form of more attacks from Japan and its allies

• to reassure the American people that actions are being taken to protect the country

Multiple Choice

Which quote from the speech most directly supports Roosevelt's purpose?

• "The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific."

• "I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu."

• "I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us."

• "Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger."

Multiple Choice

When FDR says that America "will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again," he was:

• putting the entire country on a war footing.

• hinting at plans for a full-scale mobilization of America's armed forces

• assuring the public that American forces would never be subject to such a devastating surprise attack in the future

• all of the above

Multiple Choice

What sentence in the speech repeats the idea of "a day which will live in infamy"?

• "Always will we remember that character of the onslaught against us."

• "No matter how long it may take us... the American People... will win."

• "The facts of yesterday speak for themselves."

• "The people of the United States have already formed their opinions..."

Multiple Choice

What is meant by the phrase "a date which will live in infamy"?

• a day that will be remembered as one of extreme dishonor and shame

• a day that will be honored

• a day that will be soon forgotten 

• a day that will be remembered in sadness