Churchill vs. Hirohito

World War Two, Churchill, and Hirohito: What could possibly go wrong?

            With the Germans on the rise to ultimate European power. Having taken down country after country for Nazi Germany Hitler seemed nearly unstoppable. What he did not expect was the energy and caliber of the new British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Despite a lukewarm reception he stands to deliver one of the greatest calls-to-arms in history.  In the same way at the end of World War Two after Japan had been devastated by the first nuclear bombing in history Emperor Hirohito makes a magnificent surrender speech both honorable and empowering. These two dynamic speeches are separated by time, situation, speaker and perspectives, yet are united in their purpose; to send a message that would inspire a nation and show the world the strength of their words.

            Churchill's call to arms speech has been called one of the greatest speeches ever given in history, but why is it? The language is powerful, accepting the gravity of the situation and his actions, and direct in his tone.  Phrases like, “for without victory, there is no survival”, “victory in spite of all terror”, and “It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us” Churchill uses pathos to show the importance of answering his call. He also gives his audience the benefit that they are fully capable to understand the gravity of their situation that he does not need to sugar coat. In other words he gives them their vegetables plain and simple. No faulty logic or far-fetched propaganda. Churchill, does this beautifully when he says, “We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering.” His strength, “buoyancy”, and caliber portrayed in his first speech dissolve his early perceptions.

            Emperor Hirohito was faced with a daring challenge; the honorable surrender of the Japanese people after the devastating bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima.  He also gives great credit to the mental capacity of his “loyal subjects.” He amazingly says that the people of Japan are surrendering without saying the phrase, We Surrender. He addresses his military in a tone of thanks and honor when he says, “Despite the best that has been done by everyone,” The war has not ended in Japan’s favor.  He explains the gravity of their situation when he writes; “Should we continue to fight” it would result in the obliteration of the Japan and human civilization.by taking this approach he makes the Japanese people martyrs of the world who will have to suffer for the wellbeing of human existence. This is why this speech is known as one of the best surrender speech in History. He does this with grace and humility whilst portraying America as the homicidal villain and Japan the martyr of the world.