Rhetorical Analysis(Blog#6)

The speech that I analyzed for the rhetorical analysis blog was a famous speech given by Franklin Delano Roosevelt on December 8^th, 1941; the day after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. In this speech he address’s the Vice President, the Legislative Branch and other officials about entering WWII. Roosevelt explains the situation, quickly and clearly, using a high level of diction and elegant words to express his thoughts and emotions. His speech primarily talks about how the Japanese betrayed the United States with a sneak attack, “Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered…a formal reply to a recent American message…stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack”(<http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/tmirhdee.html>). He also discusses how that very night, Japan had engaged in war with the entire pacific. That it was time for the United States to rise up and join in the fight to protect the rest the world. Throughout the speech he uses sentences with strong, negative, connotation to express his sad, and enraged feelings, “I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost”(<http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/tmirhdee.html>). ‘Regret’, and ‘very many American lives have been lost’ are examples of negative connotation. Roosevelt also uses parallelisms to build tension, and show the seriousness of the situation, “Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island”(<http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/tmirhdee.html>).

        Throughout the speech Roosevelt builds his credibility, ((“As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.)”(<http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/tmirhdee.html>)) And builds credibility for the people of the United States to go to war, “The United States was at peace with that (Japan) nation(<http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/tmirhdee.html>). The significance of the speech, is in the context in which, it was given, “Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was…attacked by…the Empire of Japan”(<http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/tmirhdee.html>). This was the first time America had been attacked on its home soil sense the founding of the country in July 1776; the country was in shock and Roosevelt used it to his advantage. One-hundred and sixty-five years of safety and in a matter of hours The United States was in a fearful, rage. Roosevelt’s context was direct and dire; using this passion he hit home the significance and purpose of his speech, that it was time. With that, a shout echoed out from the highest branches of government to the poorest of slums, America had woken up and was unified in the fight to stop the Nazi regime, the Japanese Empire, and serve out justice like Big Macs at McDonalds.

A Date Which Will Live in Infamy Speech

A Date Which Will Live in Infamy

                “Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives:Yesterday, December 7, 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.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. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, 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.

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.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

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.

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 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.“

        
  by Franklin Delano Roosevelt

                       on Dec, 8th 1941

The Crazy Cowboy General

            To understand war you must understand its heroes, which is why I want to delve into the life of General George S. Patton. Patton was one of the greatest military minds in American history. Patton was born on November 11, 1885 in San Marino, California to George S. Patton Sr. and his wife Ruth Wilson. As a small boy Patton read military tactic and history books, he was addicted to battle, even as a little boy. Coming from a family that had a lot of military background he grew up hearing stories of adventure, battle and the courageous deeds of men. His family members served in the military for years playing key roles in the Civil War and battles throughout American history. He came from a long family line of United States Generals and knew, that’s what he would do some day. Nights spent in front of a fire, listening to old war stories instilled a longing and desire in the boy to become a hero. Patton would get his chance to do just that.

            In 1909 Patton graduated from Virginia Military Institution and enrolled in the United States Military Academy. He participated in the 1912 summer Olympics in the first-ever (modern) pentathlon. He finished fifth overall doing well in all competitions except for shooting where he used a .33 caliber pistol, while the majority of his adversaries used .22 caliber pistols. He made the team and was invited to the next summer Olympics in 1916 but they were cancelled due to World War I.

            After the 1912 Olympics Patton traveled to Europe in search Adjutant M. Clèry a Master-Swordsmen in the French Army. Upon returning he was made the Army’s youngest “Master of the Sword.” He then became a instructor at Fort Riley, Kansas where he modernized the cavalry’s fencing techniques and even helped in the design of the Model 1913 Cavalry Saber. Now-and-days its known as the ‘Patton Saber’ because it does not steal any other swords model.

            Patton didn’t make his true debut until World War I, at the beginning of the war he was promoted to Captain but by the end he had been promoted four more times to a full Colonel for his raw determination and the great work he did training men in the art of tank warfare. He was given command of the 1^st Provisional tank brigade, which was never considered a military unit because it only preformed specific military operations, not given to the masses. At the end of the war Patton was wounded while leading a unit into battle, he received medals for his bravery including a Purple Heart. 

            This takes us up to World War II where he commanded the U.S. Third Army and gained much renown as a general. Patton fought brilliantly in many of the biggest battles of the war using his wit to prepare his army both mentally and physically. He lead the North African campaign, the Sicily campaign and numerous others campaigns into European countries under Nazi control. Under his leadership the Third Army, “advanced farther, captured more enemy prisoners, and liberated more territory in less time than any other army in military history”(wiki). Hands-down one of the greatest military minds in history he was feared by all of his enemies, Hitler himself was heard on several occasions calling Patton, “the most dangerous man the allies have”, and “the crazy cowboy general.” Many German officers knew him as none other then, ‘the best they have.’

            After the war he came back to the states and was known as a hero, the one thing Patton had always strove for. On December 9, 1945 Patton got in a car crash and was rushed to the hospital. Two days later he died of pulmonary embolism in a military hospital, although he not die in battle he will forever be remembered for his cunning and military might as general.

           

http://www.biography.com/people/george-patton-9434904

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Patton

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Provisional_Marine_Brigade

http://www.generalpatton.com/biography/index.html

Interpreting Data

The results from my poll ‘How soon do you think we should have entered WWII?’ show a very one-sided argument. A booming seventy percent of the class believed we should have entered WWII earlier, while fewer than fifteen percent of the class believed we entered at the correct time. These are the same results I have found through my research; most people believed we should have entered earlier while a small group believes the time we entered was impeccable.  Both sides have good reasons because if we had entered WWII earlier, potentially, we could have ended the war sooner hence saving more lives. While the other side that thinks we entered at ‘the perfect time’ believe this because if we had entered the war earlier, the American casualties list would have been significantly higher.

http://conservapedia.com/Debate:Should_the_United_States_have_entered_World_War_II%3F

http://warchronicle.com/numbers/WWII/deaths.htm

Controversy Blog(#3)

Ben Mertz

Blog #3

11/12/11

            Throughout history there have been many controversial actions taken in the field of war. Military historians love to debate the pros and cons of any military operation and its outcome. In WWII, the United States Third Army, led by General George Patton, captured more enemies and liberated more territories then any other army in military history(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Patton). Patton sped through Europe but

the United States delayed entering the final Nazi stronghold of Berlin and allowed the Russian army to be the first to knock Hitler’s door down. This was an extremely bad decision by the United States military and it had a negative impact on Eastern Europe for the next half century. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 the communist block finally crumpled but for forty-four years, Eastern Europe lived under soviet rule and domination.

Many of the negative impacts of allowing the Soviets to enter first might have been avoided, had general George Patton been allowed to enter Berlin first. Pattons ‘blood and conquest’ campaign was not allowed triumph over Berlin because Congress agreed that the Soviets had taken more losses in the war then the US. For this the US and Europe suffered heavily, a decision that I believe many would take back today.

            When the United States waited outside Berlin and allowed the Soviets to take the city they did not take into fact that the soviets would loot the city. In a famous picture of right after the city was taken, a Soviet stands waving, the red flag triumphantly. Little did we know but this glorious image was changed to hide the fact that he was looting(http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,551972,00.html). Throughout the war the Nazis had gained control of many other countries and through this, they got a lot of art from other European countries. All of it was kept in Berlin; by allowing the Soviets to attack Berlin it enabled millions of dollars of priceless artwork to be stolen from Berlin during the aftermath of the fighting.

            Another reason the delay of the capture of Berlin was so sever is because it weaken the all-powerful image of the United States. The Untied States had done an excellent job with the war. Many would argue that the Untied States saved the war and if the US hadn’t entered when we did there could have been a very different outcome. By allowing the Soviets to enter Berlin first everything changed; instead of newsreels showing tearing Berlin welcoming Americans as their liberators, the Russians stole the public relations show. It also showed that the Soviets were the hero’s, where the US had not been able to finish.

            Perhaps the most serious argument for why waiting was so bad is the Yalta treaty of 1945. In the treaty it gave the soviets complete control of Eastern Europe, hence the creation of the iron curtain. I feel that separation of Eastern Europe from Europe is a horrible thing that occurred. Many families were separated because one half of the family lived on the other side of the city, image waking up and you couldn’t go to school or see your friends because they lived on the other side of town. This is what happened to thousands of people; if you were seen trying to get over the wall to the other side (wherever side your going) you would be shot at and killed. The US lost a lot of their political pull when they did not take Berlin and by allowing the Soviets to, it enabled them to take the treaty to another level and give them control over Eastern Europe.

            Had Patton been able to procure the capture of Berlin much of the aftermath would have gone much smoother for the US and most of Europe.

Works Cited

1943, Mid-March. "George S. Patton." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Patton>.

"The Art of Soviet Propaganda: Iconic Red Army Reichstag Photo Faked - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International." SPIEGEL ONLINE - Nachrichten. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,551972,00.html>.

"WWII Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, the Nazis and the West . In Depth . The Conferences | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org/behindcloseddoors/in-depth/the-conferences.html>.

"Yalta Conference." Spartacus Educational. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWyalta.htm>.

Blog #2

Ben Mertz           

Blog#2

            There are many profound ways that World War II had a permanent impact on the world. With the ending of the Nazi regime and Japans fall after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki the world was in the grip of change. From all of the chaos many things emerged that have forever impacted today’s societies all around the world. The baby boomer generation and America emerging as one of the world’s superpowers

            The baby boomer generation is defined as the one hundred twenty-five million people that were born after World War II. The actual ‘generation’ happened between 1946 and 1964. The reason I mention the baby boomer generation as such a large impact is because of all the things it brought. Firstly it brought my parents and most of the parents of every kid my age. For example my father was born in 1959 and my mother was born in 1964, meaning they are both product of the baby boomer era. Another reason why he baby boomer generation was so important was because many of the most famous musicians we know today became famous from the aftermath of the baby boomers. The Beatles and Bob Marley are two examples of musicians that grew prominent during this time period. Imagine a world where these two musicians hadn’t grown to as much prominence? Thank god for the baby boomer era!

            From the destruction of the Nazis and the Japanese empire America grew to much of the power that it has today. World War II gave reason for America to strengthen its military to all new heights. Due to the attack that we had on American soil in Pearl Harbor the government freaked out and started to pump up our military. The started to build tanks, planes, guns and everything needed war. This attitude seems to have continued its way into America even today, we have the biggest and most advanced military in today’s modern world. A crazy thought is perhaps if we hadn’t gotten involved in World War II would America be where it is today? With all the wars we have fought in the past, would they have still happened? World War II was also one of the first times women played a large role in the military. The war boosted women's rights all across the country and even different parts of the world. 

CITES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_boomer

http://www.mscd.edu/history/camphale/chm_001.html

http://members.tripod.com/~Ras_Richard/bobsbio.htm

http://www.thebeatles.com/

Blog #1

Ben Mertz

Blog #1

            On the morning of December 7, 1941, A day That will Live in Infamy,” Franklin Delano Roosevelt…out of nowhere, some 343 heavily armed warplanes launched from six aircraft carriers attacked, in wave after wave, the United State’s massive naval base in Hawaii.

            It was a complete surprise. Japanese bombers attacked at 7:51 in the morning and sank ships with sleeping men on board. The USS Arizona plunged to the bottoms with more than 1,117 men getting watery graves. The attack destroyed 188 aircraft, sank four US navy battleships and crippled another eight, killing 2,402 personal.

             The attack was intended to knock a hole in America’s Pacific fleet so the Empire of Japan could attack, conquer and torture the people of the Philippines, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and other countries. In this campaign the they attacked and killed people from the United States, Australia, the Philippines, England and the Netherlands. The brutality, and torture inflicted by Japanese male soldiers rank as some of the lowest moments of humanity in the history of the world.

             It was a complete shock, called a “sneak attack,” and it jumped the US into both wars, against Germany and Japan. Anti-war Americans quickly caved in, and the entire country mobilized for war, An explosive manufacturing sector launched names like Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter and nationalism ran high as the USA readied for war. USA had survived the Great Depression. Programs like FDR and WPA , got the economy on track. The USA was rebuilding, Japan was attacking China and all hell was about to break out in Germany.

       The rise of Hitler’s 3rd Reich reached an evil crescendo when Germany attacked the Netherlands and Poland (1939). Poland fell in less than a month to the massive German assault war machine called Blitzkrieg, and unstoppable air force bombing squadrons called Luftwaffe.

             While the US had avoided war in the 1930s, the war found America soon enough. With the bombing of Pearl Harbor America entered and changed the face of the war forever.

Works Cited


http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/modules/ww2/index.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II