Summary Of Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms

On Thursday, March 16th I attended Dr. Christopher Capozzola’s seminar on the World War I poems. He explored the issue of “Citizenship in Crisis: Centennial Legacies of the First World War.” He began his speech in a very creative way by discussing James Montgomery Flagg’s “Uncle Sam” war campaign posters. By 1917, there were over 4 million copies; making it the fundamental visual for the United States. With his political power stance and face, he gave life to the American by portraying powerfulness, watchfulness, and authoritativeness while also displaying individuality of the citizen and organization of the institution. This poster shouted the American Dream and gave solders a visual of what they were fighting for.

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?

During the 1920’s a series of events were set into motion that plunged America into one of the worst time of its existence come 1929 and later the Great Depression. Through the challenges America faced, it arose to become the world’s strongest leading economical and political superpower. As the country began to emerge stronger than ever, leaders arose to the occasion and aided its progression as a world power. One such leader was be Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Due to his actions, the memory of him was preserved in the form of political cartoons for individuals to view and come to the conclusion that despite some ill feelings toward the man, he was a man of noble character who aided America in achieving greatness.

Two political cartoon images that will be analyzed include a pro imperialism depiction, “Uncle Sam’s New Class in the Art of Self-Government”, from (Harper’s Weekly, 1898) and an anti-imperialism depiction, “Fun for the Boys”, from (Life, 1900) that both demonstrated this debate. While many Americans denounced the act of imperialism, many others advocated it. The focal point of these images was to capture viewers’ attention in which the artist’s main objective was to get viewers to agree with their outlook of imperialism.

I believe that FDR's "Quarantine Speech" and "The Four Freedoms” encouraged all the American people to support participating in World War II to preserve peace, democracy and morality, while Rockwell's paintings encouraged buying war bonds by speaking to the wealthy middle to upper-class white Americans to preserve their liberties and basic rights. In both "Quarantine Speech" and "The Four Freedoms" speeches, FDR speaks repeatedly of freedom and peace being threatened and how the war must be realistically viewed to preserve the latter. Rockwell does not necessarily encourage the participation in the war as much as the need to buy bonds to maintain the American lifestyle.

     Alike, “The Poster” was the most prominent form of psychological manipulation during Stalin's reign. Until World War I the poster had avoided social themes. However, as Stalin’s Russia rose to war and as a world power, the posters took a turn to be commercial and cultural, an attempt to develop an expanding market and advertise various entertainments. The posters of World War II took on a new task: to mobilize the population in support of the war effort. Stalin’s Posters featured themes of mobilizing the armed forces, reconstructing the economy, as well as various specific war time problems. It was at this point that the government began to make efforts to “shape public opinion” and “arouse patriotic feelings”. The government assigned this task to the mass media. Every political event in Russia found resonance in

In 1914 President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech summarized the future of American global involvement as a whole. By defining freedom as “the supremacy of human rights everywhere” (Roosevelt 22) the framework of an American global presence was established. During World War II the growing tensions and oppression of human rights became a heavy reason for involvement abroad and by allying with Great Britain to implement military power, President Roosevelt backed his idea that universal freedoms belonged to all people (FDR and The Four Freedoms Speech). Support of The Four Freedoms was not only limited to the President. Norman Rockwell, a nationally treasured American artist, depicted President Roosevelt’s speech through four individual paintings representing the freedoms. Rockwell’s illustrations were spread throughout the nation’s most popular magazines and is now described as

Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” speech, given on January 6, 1941, provided rationale behind his idea that the United States needed to abandon isolationist policies. This speech provided the basis for the civil liberties that different groups of people would fight for during the next seventy years as well as context for America’s involvement in foreign affairs regarding democracy. The Four Freedoms FDR listed were as follows: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. In Alan Brinkley’s biography of FDR, he discussed how FDR expanded the role of the government and became a strong leader and protector of the welfare of American People, creating programs to expand and stimulate the economy, unite

The first amendment of the Bill of Rights to the constitution guarantees four freedoms: freedom of religion, speech, press and assembly. The Bill of Rights was passed on December 15, 1791. Since then, the freedoms have been debated, discussed, and fought and died for. Many have immigrated to America to receive those freedoms. The Founding Fathers knew what they were doing because they believed in power of ideas and debate, not censorship. The first amendment to the constitution is important because it prohibits congress from establishing an official religion in the U.S., gives Americans the freedom to say what is on their minds, and gives the right to petition and assemble peacefully.

Freedom from want is also a display of patriotism. Rockwell chose to make illustrations of Roosevelt's proposed freedoms instead of painting any random image. Freedom from Want affirms traditional American values, depicting Americans as prosperous and free, and effectively communicates the warmth, security and hope of an idealized vision of American family life. Freedom from Want encouraged those in 1943 to invest in attaining such freedom

The intended goals of the influential posters were to influence public opinion whether it be for or against a precise political agenda. These propaganda posters manipulated public attitude into viewing things into their way of thinking. The pictures and words on the posters were meticulously chosen and used deliberately to influence the way one thinks. The strategies utilized in the posters appealed to emotions rather than logical reasoning and always had motivational factors to influence.

The creation of the Bill of Rights, battles, and soldiers who died for us every day. These events and people all represent how I can live my life today, what I am allowed to do, and simply what I can even say. Freedom is not free, people shed blood for us and some even die, so that I could live in a free country. Freedom is my gift that I was given when I was adopted and through this whole year, I have learned who has sacrificed their life for my freedom and what events have impacted my freedom.

Freedom is something that many people take for granted. Having freedom allows you to make your own decisions. Many people abuse their rights by making bad choices. It is important to appreciate the rights you have because not everyone around the world has freedom.

On June 6, 1941, United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt made a speech that has since been known as “The Four Freedoms Speech.” In this speech, he outlines four freedoms he hopes every person in the world will obtain in the future. He identifies the four freedoms as the following: “...Freedom of speech and expression — everywhere in the world... freedom of every person to worship God in his own way — everywhere in the world… freedom from want — which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants — everywhere in the world… freedom from fear — which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor — anywhere in the world.”

America’s history is filled with constant arguing, debating, and bickering. Because America is so diverse and full of people with differing opinions, it is important that everyone is given a voice. The Bill of Rights is opened with the 1st amendment, which consists of the freedom of speech, religion, petition, press, and assembly. These are the cornerstones of American society, and the freedom to assemble has guided America to where it is today. This promise was a direct response to many events in colonial America, has been defended in court as shown is the case of the Village of Skokie vs. the National Socialist Party, and was pushed to its limit at the White Nationalist Rally in Charlottesville, yet the persistence of this right proves how controversy succumbs to the freedom of expression.