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part 2 The United States and the World 7 Three Flags, 1958. Jasper Johns. Encaustic on canvas, 30 /8 x 45 x 5 in. Fiftieth Anniversary Gift of the Gilman Foundation, Inc., The Lauder Foundation, A. Alfred Taubman, an anonymous donor, and purchase 80.32 “We must be the great arsenal of democracy.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt, radio broadcast, 1940 967 Collection of Whitney Museum of American Art, NY, Photography by Geoffrey Clements, NY 0967 U6P2-845481.indd 967 4/14/06 4:30:33 AM BEFORE YOU READ War Message to Congress MEET FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT ranklin D. Roosevelt was an intensely competitive and social person. His charis- Fmatic demeanor, rich voice, and wide smile expressed confidence and optimism and gave him the power to be very persuasive. In the dark days of the Great Depression and World War II, his buoyant leadership was one of the United Franklin Roosevelt was again active in the States’ greatest assets. Democratic Party and was elected governor of New York. While governor, he gained great popularity by cutting taxes for farmers, reducing the rates charged by public utilities, and giving aid to unemployed “Let me assert my firm belief that New Yorkers. the only thing we have to fear is fear Roosevelt’s popularity paved the way for his presi- itself—” dential win in 1932. Many people in the United States applauded Roosevelt’s use of power to help —Franklin D. Roosevelt people in economic distress. In the first three First Inaugural Address months of his presidency, Congress passed fifteen major acts to provide economic relief to the nation, later known as the First New Deal. Roosevelt’s pop- Roosevelt was a distant cousin of Theodore ular relief programs helped him win reelection Roosevelt, the twenty-sixth president of the United three times. He has the remarkable legacy of being States. He was born into a wealthy New York family the only president to serve more than two terms. and educated at Harvard University and Columbia Law School. While at Harvard, he became Tension in Europe Meanwhile, World War II acquainted with Theodore Roosevelt’s niece, Eleanor. officially began when Germany invaded Poland on Soon afterward, Franklin and Eleanor were married. September 1, 1939. After the horrors of World War I, most U.S. citizens were in favor of remain- Political Gains and Personal Setbacks Shortly ing neutral during the war. On December 7, 1941, after leaving law school, Roosevelt entered politics Japanese fighter pilots made a surprise attack and won a seat in the New York State Senate. He on Pearl Harbor. The damage was severe and earned a reputation as a progressive reformer will- crippling. Roosevelt quickly changed his mind ing to stand up to the party bosses. In 1921, he about the war. The following day, he delivered his contracted a fever and soon felt numbness in his famous “War Message to Congress.” But President legs. He had contracted the disease known as Roosevelt did not live to see victory; he died from polio. Although there was no cure, Roosevelt a stroke just months before the war’s end. refused to give up and began a vigorous exercise Franklin D. Roosevelt was born in 1882 and program to restore some of his muscle control. died in 1945. While recovering from polio, Roosevelt depended on his wife to keep his name prominent in the New York Democratic Party. Eleanor Roosevelt became an effec- tive orator, and her efforts during this time kept her Author Search For more about husband’s political career alive. By the mid-1920s, Franklin D. Roosevelt, go to www.glencoe.com. 968 UNIT 6 FROM DEPRESSION TO COLD WAR Bettmann/CORBIS 0968-0972 U6P2APP-845481.indd 968 4/14/06 4:34:28 AM LITERATURE PREVIEW READING PREVIEW Connecting to the Speech Reading Strategy Distinguishing Fact Can you imagine having to make a decision that would and Opinion affect an entire country? In President Roosevelt’s “War A fact is a statement that can be verified or proved. An Message to Congress,” he informs the nation of the attack opinion is a personal judgment. Opinions cannot be on Pearl Harbor and requests permission from Congress verified or proved true, because they are expressions to declare war. Think about the following questions: of a person’s beliefs or feelings. Different people might • Have you ever had to make a difficult decision that have different opinions on the same issue. affected other people such as friends or family? • What possible consequences did you weigh as you Reading Tip: Taking Notes As you read, create a chart made your decision? like the one below to record examples of facts and opin- ions you find throughout “War Message to Congress.” Building Background Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, U.S. intelligence had Detail Fact or Opinion decoded Japanese communications that made it clear that Japan was preparing to attack the United States. “a date which opinion However, no one knew when or where the attack would will live in occur. Japan’s surprise attack on December 7, 1941, sank infamy” or damaged 21 ships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The attack also destroyed 188 airplanes and killed 2,403 Americans. Another 1,178 were injured. Following the president’s speech, the Senate voted 82 to 0 and the House voted Vocabulary 388 to 1 to declare war on Japan. infamy (infə me¯) n. a reputation as something Setting Purposes for Reading evil or harmful; p. 970 The Ku Klux Klan gained infamy for its racism. Big Idea The United States and the World diplomatic (dip´lə matik) ad j. negotiating in a As you read, think about both the political and human peaceful manner; p. 970 Tyl e r and I tried to be consequences that President Roosevelt had to con- diplomatic when we debated who could use the car sider before asking Congress to declare war. Friday night. Literary Element Author’s Purpose implication (im´plə ka¯shən) n. an effect or con- sequence; p. 971 Not brushing your teeth can have An author’s purpose is his or her intent in writing a severe implications, such as cavities and tooth decay. piece of literature. Authors typically write to accomplish one or more of the following purposes: to persuade, premeditated (pre¯ m e də ta¯t´əd) ad j. thought to inform, to explain, to entertain, or to describe. You about beforehand; p. 971 The bank robbery can begin to figure out an author’s purpose by thinking turned out to be premeditated, as the criminal had critically about the form, the tone, and the content of developed the plan weeks before. the first few paragraphs. As you read, decide what inevitable (i nevə tə bəl) ad j. certain to happen; Roosevelt’s purpose is in his “War Message to Congress.” p. 971 Once the black clouds appeared overhead, • See Literary Terms Handbook, p. R2. we feared rain was inevitable. Interactive Literary Elements Handbook To review or learn more about the literary elements, go to www.glencoe.com. OBJECTIVES In studying this selection, you will focus on the following: • distinguishing fact and opinion • relating literature to a historical period • analyzing public documents • evaluating author’s purpose FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT 969 0968-0972 U6P2APP-845481.indd 969 1/10/07 11:28:30 AM FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, WAR MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, DECEMBER 8, 1941 Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war will live in infamy—the United States of or of armed attack. America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii The United States was at peace with that nation from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conver- deliberately planned many days or even weeks sation with its Government and its Emperor look- ago. During the intervening time the Japanese ing toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Government has deliberately sought to deceive Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had the United States by false statements and expres- commenced bombing in the American Island of sions of hope for continued peace. Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary has caused severe damage to American naval and of State a formal reply to a recent American military forces. I regret to tell you that very many message. And, while this reply stated that it American lives have been lost. In addition seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Vocabulary infamy (in fə me¯ ) n. a reputation as something evil or harmful Reading Strategy Distinguishing Fact and Opinion diplomatic (dip´ lə mat ik) adj. negotiating in a Which parts of this statement are based on factual peaceful manner information? Which parts are formed by opinions? 970 UNIT 6 FROM DEPRESSION TO COLD WAR Bettmann/CORBIS SYGMA 0970-0971 U6P2SEL-845481.indd 970 4/14/06 4:40:59 AM 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. 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 vic- tory.

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