WAR

On April 2nd, 1917 President Woodrow Wilson addressed the American people about the threat of Germany. Wilson used authoritative rhetoric to speak to the public about the government’s stance on what he referred to as the “enemies of Germany”. He stated that Germany had decreed all submarines would be treated as “pirates” and that the safe passage that had once been promised, no longer applied. Wilson began his speech to the public as a forum of explaining the future decisions that would need to be made such as going to war with Germany. The President reinforced his decision by stating that Germany was infringing on the “humane practices of civilized nations”. (1917) He justifies the war actions that will be taken as a result of Germany’s disregard for international laws and the rights of all nations. Wilson makes that argument that a decision based on the nation’s best interest must be made, not a decision based on revenge. Throughout Wilson’s speech he makes numerous warrants for the declaration of war. He seems to want the American people to know that the decision would not be entered into lightly and that he understood what such a declaration could mean for our nation. He explains the various actions that will need to be taken and what these actions will mean for the American people. I felt the Wilson wanted the public to be very clear about what war meant for America and how it was the only way to preserve our way of life and liberty.

Wilson, Woodrow. War message. April 2nd, 1917. Retrieved November 26th, 2006 form http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/wilsonwarmessage.htm.

Hart, R.P., & Daughton, S.M. (2005). Modern rhetorical criticism (3rd ed.). (pp. 88-99) Boston: Pearson Education.