Freedom of Speech and Expression

Freedom of Speech and Expression — page 1 — In the future days which we seek to make secure we look forward to a world founded on four essential freedoms The first is freedom of speech and expression everywhere in the world Franklin Delano Roosevelt The president of the United States gives a special speech at the start of each year Today it is called the State of the Union With this speech the U S leader shares important beliefs The president talks about world events and gives ideas for the days to come In 1941 the president was Franklin Delano Roosevelt People called him FDR On January 6 FDR stood before Congress The times were hard Many Americans did not have jobs Europe was at war Yet FDR encouraged the people with his words He spoke about Four Freedoms and their importance Freedom of speech and expression Freedom of worship Freedom from want Freedom from fear 4 INTRODUCTION First Freedom

Freedom of Speech and Expression — page 2 — Franklin Delano Roosevelt or FDR was president from 1933 to 1945 He gave the Four Freedoms speech at the start of his third term in office 5

Freedom of Speech and Expression — page 3 — Respect for All FDR said that the Four Freedoms belong to all people Freedom from want and fear are human rights The freedoms to speak and worship deserve respect all around the world When he spoke FDR was standing before the U S Congress Yet he was not talking just to people in government He was speaking to Americans everywhere He was reaching out to people around the world too Europe was fighting World War II Most Americans thought the United States should stay out of it But in his speech the president presented the war in a new way He knew our ally Great Britain was in danger FDR framed the war as a battle for American freedoms and values People in Great Britain were in danger FDR knew the U S would need to help 6

Freedom of Speech and Expression — page 4 — The Four Freedoms are engraved on one wall of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington D C The memorial features four outdoor rooms one for each term that Roosevelt served as president Fight for Freedoms Germany and Italy were trying to take over the world Their leaders made laws that hurt many people They took away many freedoms With his speech FDR made a case to join in the fight against them He believed that America should help the nations fighting for liberty 7

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