Freedoms

Of FDR's four freedoms, the goal of freedom from want and freedom from fear especially reflect American and European experiences during the 1930s and 1940s. Briefly explain what FDR meant by "freedom from want" and "freedom from fear" and explain how the desire for these freedoms was the result of American and European experiences during the 1930s and 1940s.

By Freedom from Want, FDR called for healthy economic relationships and understandings throughout the world, which would then lead to a healthy peacetime life for citizens of the world. Many of the problems of the world seemed to stem from some sort of economic misunderstanding. One nation may have gotten angry with another due to an economic decision, and would then issue a decree in an attempt to hinder the other nation's progress until whatever insult they felt had been suffered had been dealt back properly. Economic understanding throughout the world would effectively cut off these sorts of feuds.

By Freedom from Fear, FDR called for the reduction of arms, slowly, but enough so that over the course of time, no nation would be able to wage war against their neighbor. Thus, the world would be free from the fear of a sudden attack from other nations, as, unbeknownst to the world at this time, they would soon come to fear greatly.

During this time, the world was hardly free of want or any fear. Europe was being ripped apart by a devastating war. America, despite reluctance to enter the war, had been attacked by the Japanese. If anybody truly wanted to be free from want or fear, action needed to be taken.

America, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, was a nation wracked by paranoia and fear. As such, steps needed to be taken to assure that they could remain safe. American troops were at last sent to battle the powers that had been attempting to take down their European allies for so long, as well as avenge the deaths of those at Pearl Harbor and keep their nation safe.

On the American home front, people were weary. The nation was beginning to pull out of a major economic depression. The war, however terrible it may have been, had served as an economic catalyst of sorts. The soldiers of the war needed military supplies. America soon dedicated their resources to their allies, and in return, was given money for their services. In the recovery process, however, the peoples' economic fear became fear for their very lives as the devastation of war scorched their great country. Fortunately for them, it became clear that the war was not to be fought on American soil. That did not, however, fully pacify their fears. So they worked hard for the troops to finally be rid of these fears. To be rid of the plagues that had long haunted them.

As bad as conditions were in America, Europe was faring far worse. The first ones impacted by war were the Europeans themselves. Despite all the warnings that had come over the many years that Hitler and the Nazi Party had been active, there was no preparation for what was to come. War came fast and hard. France, one of the main powers in the Great War, had fallen. Great Britain was under direct assault, and every day the country still stood was nothing short of miraculous. Hitler’s influence was expanding. His power was growing. Fear gripped the entire continent. But still they fought.

Hitler, in his arrogance, then launched an assault on the Soviet Union, with whom he had proclaimed neutrality. The Soviet’s fear soon turned into anger, and soon became full blown retaliation. The Soviets and Americans, despite uneasy relations with one another, joined into an Alliance with Britain and the parts of Europe who resisted the Axis powers.

Until the end of the war, it was the want of freedom of fear that empowered America and their European allies. After all, were they to stop pursuing this freedom, everything they held dear to them may have been destroyed in an instant.