Passage 1
excerpt from Franklin D. Roosevelt's Four Freedoms Speech
On January 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke to
Congress about the potential effect that World War II might have
on the United States and its policies. His address has since
become popularly known as the Four Freedoms Speech
It is true that prior to 1914 the United States often had been
disturbed by events in other Continents. We had even engaged in
two wars with European nations and in a number of undeclared
wars in the West Indies, in the Mediterranean and in the Pacific
for the maintenance of American rights and for the principles of
peaceful commerce. But in no case had a serious threat been
raised against our national safety or our continued independence.
What I seek to convey is the historic truth that the United States
as a nation has at all times maintained clear, definite opposition,
to any attempt to lock us in behind an ancient... wall while the
procession of civilization went past. Today, thinking of our children
and of their children, we oppose enforced isolation for ourselves
or for any other part of the Americas.
The need of the moment is that our actions and our policy should
be devoted primarily--almost exclusively--to meeting this foreign
peril
. For
all our domestic problems are now a part of the great
emergency
Just as our national policy in internal affairs has been based upon
a decent respect for the rights and the dignity of all our fellow
men within our gates, so our national policy in foreign affairs has
24
Select the correct answer
How do the purposes for Roosevelt's and Bush's speeches differ?
O A.
B.
OC.
D.
Roosevelt is offering comfort to American citizens who are fighting abroad; Bush is trying to rally support for an
immediate counterattack against terrorists.
Roosevelt is trying to build support in the fight for freedom outside the United States, Bush is offering
reassurance to U.S. citizens after an attack on their soil.
Roosevelt is declaring war on anti-democratic forces in Europe; Bush is urging restraint among those who
want revenge.
Roosevelt is providing an informational update on the security situation in Europe, Bush is reminding U.S.
citizens that freedom must be defended.
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