FREEDOM SHRINE

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States and longest serving President in American history. In his 1941 State of the Union address, President Roosevelt speaks about the “Four Freedoms” that should be present in all corners of the world. These freedoms include freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. Roosevelt’s speech spoke on the threat to democracy that was posed as a result of World War II being underway (this speech was prior to direct American involvement) and ensured that he would do whatever he could to protect democracy and its “Four Freedoms.” Opponents of Roosevelt critiqued his internment of Japanese-Americans during WW2 by citing this speech, saying he was denying Americans the four freedoms at home while espousing that they should be protected abroad. Despite the hypocrisy presented, the Four Freedoms speech was often cited as a rallying cry and motivator for Americans during the Second World War.