Roosevelt’sFour Freedomsspeech signaled a shift in U.S. foreign policy from isolationism to

Roosevelt's Four Freedoms speech, delivered in 1941, marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy from isolationism towards internationalism and engagement in global affairs. The speech articulated four essential human freedoms that Roosevelt believed should be universally protected: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

1. Historical Context: Prior to this speech, the U.S. largely adhered to an isolationist stance, avoiding entanglement in European conflicts and focusing on domestic issues. However, the growing threats from totalitarian regimes in Europe and Asia, particularly Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, began to challenge this isolationist approach.

2. Internationalism: Roosevelt's advocacy for the Four Freedoms emphasized the United States' role in promoting democratic values and human rights worldwide. This marked a critical pivot towards international engagement, suggesting that the U.S. would not remain passive in the face of global threats to these freedoms.

3. U.S. Involvement in WWII: In the context of World War II, the speech galvanized public support for U.S. involvement in the war, which would officially occur later in 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Roosevelt's emphasis on the protection of freedoms highlighted the moral imperative for the U.S. to protect democracy not just at home but also abroad.

In summary, Roosevelt's Four Freedoms speech signaled a transition from a policy of isolationism to one of active engagement and support for collective security and the promotion of democratic ideals on a global scale.