While FDR and Bush both strived for war and retaliation against Japan and terrorism respectively, there are slight differences to the way they approach convincing the American public that war is the solution to these conflicts. Set in different time periods, these are the only two times in history that Americans experienced fear of being attacked realizing that the country is not as invincible as one once thought. Being the leader of the country at the time, FDR and Bush felt that retaliation was needed to meet these new threats, despite the idea of isolationism spread throughout the country. 

There aren't that many attacks that have occurred on American soil that have truly affected the public than 9/11 and the attack on Pearl Harbor. It involved the one factor that Americans never thought was possible, civilian casualties on US soil. The sense of nationalism imbedded in the public made them feel invincible and that they would not be touched because the armed forces of the country would protect them. But they never anticipated sneak attacks that would bypass the forces protecting the country. While both presidents focus on that in their speeches, FDR links the Pearl Harbor attack to several other attacks in the Pacific that happened before it, claiming it as a pattern. Like Bush, he manipulates the fear of the public to his favor using this pattern claiming that the attack would come eventually, especially considering the fact that the US was indirectly helping the Allied powers by sending supplies and weapons. However what FDR does differently is with his speech, he notes how the US was already a part of the war, while Bush took more time to establish the nationalism, the country was so used to hearing. It was not until after the speech that rumors of weapons of mass destruction and other conspiracies further amplified the amount of support for the war against terrorism. There was no pattern for Bush to talk about and so talking about the pride of the nation being compromised was the best idea. 

The attack on Pearl Harbor and the twin towers were from two different places. Japan done their part in the war by taking over multiple territories in the Pacific including several Asian cities. From the Middle East, Al Qaeda an organization that has existed since the 80's claimed responsibility for the attack on the twin towers. What is the difference between a nation attacking the US and a terrorist organization doing the same thing? FDR already emphasized that America was already involved in the war even if it was indirectly, so it would make sense that after an attack on their soil they would decide to fully join in the war effort. But 9/11 did not necessarily happen because of a nation, the Al Qaeda organization was a large group of individuals and much harder to target. The retaliation Bush was talking about in his speech was a war new to the world at the time, not just a fight against the group but a fight against a dangerous set of ideals, religious ones that would also affect how Americans would look at Islam (insert quote here). Unlike Bush, FDR did not perceive the Japanese culture and way of life as a bad thing even mentioning that Japan was allies with the US in the past. Thus, the difference between the two speeches is one speech gave birth to a stereotype that lasts even till this day. 

America has had its ups and downs in the past but the events that happened before the two attacks also play a large role in what happened after the attacks. First, America was going thru the Great depression until 1939, the same year that WW2 began in. Having gone thru such an economic crisis and having to rise from their troubles the American public wanted a more productive society and less headache. This lead to isolationism where Americans felt as if they needed to isolate themselves from the problems of the world even if Germany and the rest of the Axis powers were taking over Europe. But after what happened Pearl Harbor, FDR realized it was time to stop Japan and aid the allies fully rather than from the side lines giving supplies. They once again had to take on another challenge that could affect the state of their nation and this time the world. Fortunately, the war did bolster the economy, making supplies and weapons for the US forces and the Allied Powers. Thus FDR's speech had a more positive affect on the nation and the world in general.

Since WW2 no world wars have happened and thanks in part to the United Nations, they are working their hardest to prevent one from happening ever again. With FDR's speech it not only helps the Allied powers win against Germany a second time it promotes the accepted idea that war such as those should never happen again. 

In the early 2000s, America was in a state of peace more or less. Citizens once again felt a great sense of nationalism and felt invincible. But then 9/11 happened and the twin towers fell. It shocked the people. Not once but twice has American soil been infiltrated by foreign attacks and this time it was from a new threat to the world, terrorists. This is yet another example of events before the attacks playing a large role in the events that take place after 9/11. With their sense of security it would seem ridiculous that anyone would attack the US. However, terrorism proved them all wrong and thus the US went to war once again to tackle the new threat. Bush's speech empowers the public that those responsible for the attack "even though I walk in the shadow of the evil of death, I fear nothing, for you are with me," (9/11 address) would be dealt with. The end of the speech is a bible verse that lays the groundwork for the way people view other religions "we will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these attacks and those who harbor them" (9/11 address). Notice something interesting? With FDR his speech and the state of America before their involvement in the war affected the country greatly afterwards. But with Bush his speech laid the groundwork for the stereotype that all people of the Islamic faith and others in the Middle East can be potential threats to society.  

 While the leader of Al Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden has been dead for a couple of years a new group known as Isis has emerged and is causing a lot of trouble in the middle east, with the US and other countries being involved, in a sense the war in Iraq made the Middle east even more volatile and thus terrorism has raised to new heights. Bush's speech has even more weight than before, as it helps to combat the terrorism but gives birth to new threats. 

FDR takes a different approach to manipulating the American crowds and listeners than Bush did by using well known facts and speculation. While Bush uses nationalism to give the viewers a sense of hope that they will overcome whatever troubles are thrown at them. The end result is the same, convincing America to take up arms against enemies of the world while at the same time taking revenge against the specific attackers that did them wrong in the first place. While the attacks themselves have changed American history, events beforehand can create a similar effect. The great depression was only one of the challenges that shook America to its core, they had to deal with war next. Before 9/11 occurred America felt safe and thought no one could touch the country. The terrorist attack reminded them that anyone can be attacked. 

Speeches can empower others and give hope to the viewers and listeners. But speeches from well-known and respected individuals can change the course of history as we know it. Because of FDR's speech not only did America entering the war help defeat the Axis powers it led to the League of Nations being changed to the United nations vowing to prevent any world war to happen again. Bush's speech not only gave birth to the war against Iraq but it heated conflicts in the Middle east specifically  helped to influence Isis, a threat that has yet to be solved at this point in time. So, as leaders of a country, FDR and Bush played a vital role in shaping the events that followed and that will affect future generations. The speeches convinced America that an ideal such as isolationism can only last for so long and that they must act in times of crisis. 

Speeches such as these can create so many possibilities for the world that it is important to realize the reason as to why FDR and Bush decided to make their own in the first place. One must remember that words have great power and that when used correctly they can move nations and spur them for war and conflict, for love and peace and that the emotions of the people are very sensitive and it does not take much to change that. No wonder a lot of the presidents of the US are so skilled at public speaking, it is a very powerful tool indeed. 

