Throughout the twentieth century many deadly conflicts and wars were fought: World War I, World War II, and the Cold War were the most famous wars. These wars were fought for power, and freedom of countries. World War II and the Cold War stood out the most as it involved America and its struggle against the Axis and Soviet Union. These two wars threatened the freedoms of America and its citizens, which caused the two presidents during their time to address them. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the president during World War II and he addressed his problem with his “Four Freedoms” speech while John F. Kennedy, the president during the Cold War addressed his problem with the “Inaugural Speech.” Each president talks about the power of freedom, and …show more content…
For example, at the end of his speech FDR says, “Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them” (Roosevelt 279). FDR argues that these four freedoms are not only essential for America’s but for everyone around the world. He believes that these freedoms are universal rights and everyone, no matter what, deserves these. His speech was at the time of World War II where everyone’s freedoms were challenged, and in order to restore global peace while America being the global leader, FDR addresses in his speech: “As a nation, we may take pride in the fact that we are softhearted; but we cannot afford to be soft headed” (Roosevelt 271). In this part of his speech, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is saying that America’s role is to be sympathetic and help other nations, but as soon as their own freedom is threatened they can’t be weak or uncritical minded. FDR assures Americans that they will do whatever it takes to keep these wars out of