Homework Assignment #5:  Roosevelt Speech Analysis

Read the speech, "A Call for Sacrifice," delivered by Franklin Delano Roosevelt on April 28, 1942, and answer the following questions:

1)  What is the purpose of Roosevelt's speech?  Who is he addressing?

2)  Although the speech is titled "A Call for Sacrifice," Roosevelt does not begin with the call.  What topics does he discuss before and after describing sacrifices that Americans will have to make?  Why does he precede and follow the call with reference to these specific topics?

3)  What groups does Roosevelt single out when outlining the implications of the call to sacrifice?  Why does he use examples of these groups' particular sacrifices?

4)  What two conclusions can you draw about the historical significance of the speech?  What is your evidence for these conclusions?  In formulating your answer, you may draw on lecture notes, the video on FDR viewed in class, and the Polenberg and Leffler texts.

Bring your homework to class on Friday, January 28.