LAD #34

President Roosevelt

In his declaration of war, FDR said that the previous day, December 7, 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, was "a date which will live in infamy." He stated that Japan and the US were working to maintain peace with Japan, however right after the bombing, the Japanese ambassador to the US gave a message saying that there was not necessary to keep trying to maintain peace, but did not mention any attack or threat. FDR then states that the attack was carefully planned, and discusses the various other attacks made by the Japanese. Given the aggression, there must be measures taken to defend the American people, so he asks Congress to declare war on Japan.


President Wilson

FDR's declaration of war is similar to Woodrow Wilson's declaration of war, which entered the US into WWI. Like the entrance into WWII, the entrance to WWI was provoked by actions from another nation, as the Germans sunk the Lusitania and sent the Zimmerman Telegram, which both threatened the safety of American people.