Excerpt from Franklin D. Roosevelt's Four Freedoms Speech

On January 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke to Congress about the potential effect that World War I might have on the United States and its policies. His address has since become popularly known as the Four Freedoms Speech.

It is true that prior to 1914 the United States often had been disturbed by events in other Continents. We had even engaged in two wars with European nations and in a number of undeclared wars in the West Indies, in the Mediterranean, and in the Pacific for the maintenance of American rights and for the principles of peaceful commerce. But in no case had a serious threat been raised against our national safety or our continued independence.

What I seek to convey is the historic truth that the United States as a nation has at all times maintained clear, definite opposition to any attempt to lock us in behind an ancient wall while the procession of civilization went past. Today, thinking of our children and of their children, we oppose enforced isolation for ourselves or for any other part of the Americas.

The need of the moment is that our actions and our policy should be devoted primarily—almost exclusively—to meeting this foreign peril. For all our domestic problems are now a part of the great emergency. Just as our national policy in internal affairs has been based upon a decent respect for the rights and the dignity of all our fellow men within our gates, so our national policy in foreign affairs has...

Select the correct answer:

How do the purposes for Roosevelt's and Bush's speeches differ?

A. Roosevelt is declaring war on anti-democratic forces in Europe; Bush is urging restraint among those who want revenge.

B. Roosevelt is providing an informational update on the security situation in Europe; Bush is reminding US citizens that freedom must be defended.

C. Roosevelt is offering comfort to American citizens who are fighting abroad; Bush is trying to rally support for an immediate counterattack against terrorists.

D. Roosevelt is trying to build support in the fight for freedom outside the United States; Bush is offering reassurance to US citizens after an attack on their soil.