1. FDR’s Pearl Harbor Speech
A Call For Justice
FDR’s Pearl Harbor Speech

2. First reading and viewing
SILENTLY READ THE TEXT FOR 8 MINUTES: Do not make any annotations or other marks. Just complete a first read for understanding.
WATCH THE VIDEO:

3. Helpful Terms to know Define these on your sheet
Infamy:
Solicitation:
Commenced:
Intervening:
Onslaught:
Premeditated:
Treachery:
Unbounding:
Dastardly:

4. HELPFUL TERMS TO KNOW: Define these on your sheet
Infamy: Being well known for some bad quality or deed
Solicitation: The act of asking for or trying to obtain something
Commenced: Began
Intervening: To prevent or alter an action/result
Onslaught: Fierce or destructive attack
Premeditated: Planned
Treachery: Violation or betrayal of trust
Unbounding: Not limited in any way
Dastardly: Wicked and cruel

5. Reading activities
Circle or highlight all of the words or phrases which reference VIOLENCE (10)
Draw a large box around the section where Roosevelt uses REPETITION
In the space beside the box labeling REPETITION, write one sentence explaining the purpose of Roosevelt’s use of repeated phrases. (10)
[In other words, why is he repeating the same things? Of what is he trying to
convince the listener?]
Using the information you gathered from his language, repetition, and voice in the video, write 3 words which show Roosevelt’s TONE (ex/infuriated). (5)

6. Final constructed response
In one paragraph, explain FDR’s purpose for giving this speech to Congress. Use the knowledge you gained from looking at language and tone to generate your answer. Use at least 1 piece of textual evidence (exact quote) for support.
For Full Credit:
Write in complete sentences.
Spelling and grammar must be correct.
One piece of textual evidence.
No fewer than 4 sentences.

7. Discussion Questions
We heard President Roosevelt describe the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor as “a date that will live in infamy….” Infamy means disgrace, dishonor. What do you think were the various emotions of Americans in the first hours and days after they heard the news of the attack?

8. How do you think young Americans your age reacted to the news of Pearl Harbor? In what ways did the coming of WWII to the United States affect students your age?

9. Most Americans who experienced the Pearl Harbor attack remember to this day where they were when they heard the news. To them it is a shared generational moment. The same can be said of people who experienced President John Kennedy or Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassinations, or 9/11. Do you think you have experienced a historical moment that you will always remember?

10. The U.S. government, seeking internal security, responded to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor by interning 110,000 Japanese Americans in relocation camps across the country for the duration of the war. The U.S. government recently admitted that it had violated those individuals’ civil rights and compensated those still living with $20,000 each. Can the United States today maintain its security while ensuring its citizens their constitutional rights?