During the State of the Union address in January 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented what would become known as the Four Freedoms. This pivotal moment in American rhetoric came at a time when the world was engulfed in the turmoil of World War II and the United States was still maintaining a policy of neutrality. Roosevelt argued that in order to secure a peaceful future and promote democracy, it was crucial to advocate for these four basic freedoms for all humanity: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

Roosevelt's speech was groundbreaking, not only for its content but also for its context. At the time, many Americans were divided over the country's involvement in the war. By framing the discussion around universal rights, Roosevelt sought to align national interest with ethical considerations for all people, not just Americans. The Four Freedoms laid the groundwork for America’s increasing involvement in the war and heralded a shift towards a more active role on the global stage.

Moreover, the Four Freedoms became a touchstone for post-war policy and international human rights discourse. Roosevelt’s articulation of these rights inspired the formation of various international agreements, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights later adopted by the United Nations in 1948. This speech illustrated the potential of the United States as a leader in defining democracy in a world rife with tyranny, setting a precedent for future foreign policies focused on both security and humanitarianism.