four freedoms speech

21 to 24

We have to be careful of particular people who would be willing to sacrifice the good of others in order to benefit themselves. We must also beware of the threat of attack on our own soil. Even if we think it isn't likely, we have to acknowledge that it could be possible with the right strategy and treason (betrayal).

42 to 44

We must try to get this aid ready as quickly as possible, and we must all be willing to make sacrifices.

According to the excerpt from the "Four Freedoms" speech, why is national unity critical for the present situation?

National unity is critical for the present situation because it is the strongest possible defense against an enemy.

Ethos

By invoking his power and the privileged knowledge he has as president, Roosevelt attempts to strengthen his argument.

As expressed in the excerpt from the "Four Freedoms" speech, what immediate course should the United States pursue?

FDR believes that the US should immediately build up its supply of military weapons.

In his "Four Freedoms" speech, Roosevelt hopes for certain changes in the nation's social and economic systems. What changes does he feel are needed?

FDR hopes to lift many more citizens above the poverty line.

55 to 58

He has called for personal sacrifice and he expects for all Americans to answer that call. Part of that sacrifice means paying more taxes. No one should be allowed to get rich out of this program. As long as we maintain these principles, then the Americans will be willing to put their patriotic duty above the money that they have. We can look forward to a world that provides four basic human rights.

36 to 37

In the most recent election both parties agreed to this national policy and American citizens everywhere want action in regard to this threat, and the answer is to quickly increase our military weapon production.

*Logos

Roosevelt uses verifiable evidence to support his interpretation of the world's crisis and the validity of his plan.

ex of logos

"Armed defense of democratic existence is now being gallantly waged in four continents. If that defense fails, all the population and all the resources of Europe and Asia and Africa and Australasia5 will be dominated by conquerors. Let us remember that the total of those populations and their resources in those four continents greatly exceeds the sum total of the population and the resources of the whole of the Western Hemisphere—many times over" (Roosevelt 15).

Ex of pathos

"Second, by an impressive expression of the public will and without regard to partisanship, we are committed to full support of all those resolute peoples, everywhere, who are resisting aggression and are thereby keeping war away from our hemisphere. By this support, we express our determination that the democratic cause shall prevail, and we strengthen the defense and the security of our own nation" (Roosevelt 34). "The happiness of future generations of Americans may well depend upon how effective and how immediate we can make our aid felt. No one can tell the exact character of the emergency situations that we may be called upon to meet. The nation's hands must not be tied when the nation's life is in danger" (Roosevelt 42)

ex of ethos

"Therefore, as your President, performing my constitutional duty to "give to the Congress information of the state of the Union," I find it, unhappily, necessary to report that the future and the safety of our country and of our democracy are overwhelmingly involved in events far beyond our borders" (Roosevelt 14).

7 to 10

Even though there was a struggle over trade in 1812 that involved the US, it was clear that France and Great Britain did not intend to take over the whole world. And, in 99 years after that, not a single war in Europe or Asia was a threat to America's future or the future of any other American nation. Even when WWI broke out, it was only a small danger to the US, and that was when we began to see what might happen to our own democracy if we let other countries' democracies fall to dictatorships.

1 to 3

FDR is addressing congress because he believes it is an unprecedented (unknown/never been seen or done) time in US history. He explains that America's security has never been seriously threatened as it is at this moment.He goes on to say that since 1789 (when the constitution was established) most periods of crisis have related to issues that were taking place within the US itself.

In the excerpt from the "Four Freedoms" speech, why does Roosevelt see the present threat to American security and safety as unprecedented?

FDR sees the present threat to American security and safety as unprecedented because no nation has ever attempted to destroy the world's democracies.

25 to 31

Invasion of our country would not be from masses of troops, but it would take the form of secret agents. Some of those agents may already be here. If we continue to allow the dictator nations to be on the attack, they are going to have the advantage, which is why we need to get involved. American policy has always been to do what is necessary in order to protect our citizens' rights, and our foreign policy should be the same in order to protect the rights of citizens in other nations.

15 to 20

Other continents around the world are attempting to fight off the tyrants, and if they all fail, the US will be the last to have to defend themselves without any allies for support. It would be foolish to leave ourselves unprepared to fight these dictators alone. If anyone is willing to give up a bit of their freedom for temporary safety, they do not deserve to be free or safe. The US should be cautious of those who believe that giving into demands in order to keep the peace is the right thing to do.

4 to 6

Prior to 1914 the US was bothered by things that happened outside of its borders and became involved in wars with European nations and others, but even then there was never a serious threat to America's safety or independence. FDR goes on to say that he does not think that the US should be isolated and that this determination to not be isolated can be seen through the quarter-century wars following the French Revolution.

Pathos

Roosevelt uses words with strong positive and negative connotations. They may refer to moral, religious, or patriotic feelings.

49 to 54

The basic things that are necessary for a strong democracy are equality of opportunity, job security, ending privilege for the few, preserving civil liberties for everyone, and being able to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress. These things must never be lost in our ever evolving world. Additionally, we need to make some improvements to providing our citizens retirement and unemployment benefits, give them better access to medical care, and gainful employment.

45to48

The best way to deal with those that oppose the sacrifice is to shame them by patriotic example. Just like men need more to live off than food, they also need more than weapons to fight. They need something to believe in. The men on the frontlines need the unshakable belief that they are fighting for a better life. This will keep them fighting harder and longer. America is a happier and stronger country because its people know what it took to keep the free life of democracy in our country. The fighting we went through to get democracy and keep it have made our people strong and have made them believe and want to protect our way of life. This is not the time to forget about the social and economic problems which are causing this war.

Reread paragraphs 1 to 14 of the speech excerpt. What central idea does Roosevelt develop in these paragraphs? How does he use details about conflicts between countries to help develop this idea?

The central idea that is asserted in paragraphs 1-14 is that the United States currently faces a time like no other in its history. There is a serious threat to the democratic way of life, and the US must get involved in order to eliminate this threat.

One of the "four essential human freedoms" that Roosevelt describes in his "Four Freedoms" speech is freedom from fear. What are the other three?

The four freedoms that FDR references in his speech are the freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, and freedom of want, which translates to peace and security in their home nation.

59 to 62

The four human rights are freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, freedom from want (economic understandings), and freedom from fear (reduction of arms where no nation will be in a position to be able to harm any neighbor anywhere in the world).

32 to 35

The public believes that we must defend our nation; we must defend our allies who are fighting hard to resist the dictatorships, and we must not stay neutral to ensure our own peace while other people's freedom is at stake.

11 to 14

There are tyrannical (harsh ruling) dictators that are attempting to take over every continent on the planet, and the American people are opposed to it. The democratic way of life is being threatened by tyrants in other nations through armed force and dangerous propaganda. The tyrants are threatening nations small and large, and it is necessary to report that the US is at risk, and we must become involved in these issues beyond our borders.

63 to 66

This is not an idealistic, unattainable vision. This is something that we can achieve in our own time. The world that he describes is the very opposite of what the dictators are seeking to create. We can create this new world order by bringing about change and working together with other countries in a civilized manner. Freedom means the strength of human rights everywhere. We give our support to those who are struggling to hold onto those rights. We will be victorious.

38 to 41

We must tell the nations that are fighting the dictators that they have our support and that we will give them the military supplies that they need. We should not be intimidated by the dictators who may see our involvement as an act of aggression or war on our part.