Question

Consider that President Roosevelt delivered the “Four Freedoms” speech on January 6, 1941. What is the historical context of this speech in relation to World War II?

Answer 1

After World War I, the United States had adopted a policy of isolationism, where they would not participate in global warfare or officially join the League of Nations. Roosevelt delivered the Four Freedoms speech 11 months before the United States declared war on Japan. The Four Freedoms speech was a break from the previous period of anti-interventionism, and described how the United States would be willing and able to assist its allies already at war.