Woodrow Wilson's Speech analyzed. The speech given on April 2, 1917. Essay is on about the history and speech style. Works cited included.

Essay by knightkeeper16College, Undergraduate July 2004

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It was the year 1917 when, the 28th President of the United States of America, Woodrow Wilson appeared before a joint session of Congress in Washington, D. C. To address a major issue in the world. This was the start of America's involvement in World War I. Many things led to U. S. Involvement in the European mess; such as the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 in the city of Sarajevo, and the eighteen minute sinking of the Lusitania on May 7, 1915.

This was a major conflict that cannot be ignored. He came to the gentlemen of congress to take on this issue. In his speech to declare war against Germany, his thesis statement was this:

"Property can be paid for, the lives of peaceful and innocent people cannot be. The

present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind."

This was a speech to inform and persuade the U. S. Congress and the Senate who had the authority to declare war as stated in The Constitution in section 8 of Article 1.

This speech was also to tell the people of the nation of what appalling conflicts had occurred on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean such as the Battle of Somme and the Battle of Verdun just the year before the speech was given. Former President Wilson was asking to protect what is good in this world without expecting anything in return such as money or land. A sacrifice made by troops for those who have suffered and to make the world a better place for democracy. Otherwise the world today would be much worse as the Germans would rule the world.

Former President Wilson has these main points: Germany was being hostile to neutral countries, such as...