Excerpt from President Roosevelt's Speech Following the Attack on Pearl Harbor
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, of the 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. 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. . . . 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 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.
Use the speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt to answer the question.
In response to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt requests from Congress
A.
increased funding for the armed forces.
B.
a declaration of war against Axis powers.
C.
increased defense for the United States.
D.
a declaration of war against Japan.
D. a declaration of war against Japan.
The correct answer is D. a declaration of war against Japan.
In the provided excerpt from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he states, "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." This clearly indicates that President Roosevelt is requesting a declaration of war against Japan in response to the attack. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.