In "The Four Freedoms" speech, President Roosevelt describes the historical context
in which the U.S. finds itself one year before the attack on Pearl Harbor, but describing
that context is not the point of his speech. His point is to promote the "four freedoms"
but he does not actually get to outlining the "four freedoms" until the very end of the
speech. Consider his speech in connection with the "Our Freedoms and Rights"
document and the information provided as historical background. Why does Roosevelt
believe it is necessary to articulate a new set of American freedoms?
I believe he found it necessary to articulate a new set of American freedoms because of the threat on the United
States. He wanted the people to feel safer within their country and he wanted to expand that “safe” feeling all
over the world so that no more threats would be upon the States or anyone else. He wanted to end war and create
peace right when the world needed peace. The “Four Freedoms” that he talks about are the man reasons for war.
He wanted to end the wars. If you have a freedom of speech and expression, then you can say what you want
without fear of attack. If you have a freedom to worship, then you need not fear harassment because of your
beliefs. When you are free from want, you don't have to worry about surviving so much as living. When you are
free from fear then you can spend your time happy instead. We spend so much time on fear and worry and forget
to live. This is why Roosevelt wanted freedoms.
What audiences -- and by that I mean what social groups (for example: age group;
educational group; economic group; religious group; political group; ethnic/linguistic
group; gender group) -- do you think the Roosevelt is addressing in "The Four
Freedoms"? Why do you think so? What evidence is there for your assessment? How
do you think Roosevelt wants these groups to respond? [Think carefully about this
question. There are often other audiences than the explicit one stated. To figure those
out will require that you bring to bear your understanding of the historical situation
and of the political situation of Roosevelt's time.]
Roosevelt was reaching out to everyone when he addressed the Four Freedoms. Everyone wants peace in their
lives and with the fear and want, that was not possible. All ages want freedom from fear. All economic groups
want freedom from want. All social groups want freedom to speak and express themselves. All religious groups
want freedom to worship without prosecution. Living in a diverse place has showed me that everyone is yearning
for freedom. Experience tells me that everyone has the fear that he speaks of. He's speaking to everyone because
if peace is one-sided, it is not peace.
In "The Great Society Speech" what do you think President Johnson's main point
might be? What question is he trying to answer and what is his answer to that
question? Why does he think his answer is a necessary one? Upon what are you
basing this assessment? (In other words, what about the work leads you to this
conclusion?) [Think about the title and how that conveys meaning.]
How can we built a better society? Every man and woman needs to work towards this goal. Every child needs a
place to learn. Johnson talks about our need for better cities and countrysides. In the cities we are learning more
with new experiments and inventions. Our cities our expanding into communities where we can live and enjoy
life. The countryside of America is also a place that we need to protect. It's inspiring and beautiful. We cannot be
“America: The Beautiful” at the pollution rate we are getting too. Johnson also talks about a need for education.
How can we create a well-functioning society without education? It's very expensive to go to college and school
and Johnson is addressing that. Also, he addresses that our teachers are sometimes under qualified. We need to
put qualified teacher in the classroom so that the students can actually learn something. The solution is that every
man should work towards a greater society. Let every young mind utilize what we have to better our society.
Every man must fight against poverty and work towards education for a better life. We need to work as the
pioneers who came to the United States did. They fought for this land so let us fight to better it.