From 1939 to 1945, the world fell into great darkness. During this period, nations fought against each other in what is now known as World War II. It was during this time that nations' leaders were under extreme pressure to address the public with constant updates on the ongoing war. As a result, some of the most famous speeches in history can be found from this era. Leaders such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) and Winston Churchill gave such speeches. FDR's Four Freedoms speech may be considered the most famous speech of his presidential career. His speech to Congress was pivotal because it highlighted the possibility of America going to war to defend the freedoms that America stands for. Churchill's speeches, I Have Nothing to Offer but Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat and By Ye Men of Valor captivated the English as they welcomed their new Prime Minister. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"? Get the original essay On January 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his State of the Union address to Congress. In his speech he outlined what would become the Four Freedoms. These were four fundamental elements of freedom that he believed every individual should have. At the time, World War II was still in its early stages. However, the United States was still not formally involved. When the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, the United States still expressed its desire to remain neutral in the conflict. Then the Nazis took France and the Japanese expanded into mainland Asia. The United States nevertheless remains neutral, but is worried. When Germany began bombing London, Americans wondered if they could really stay out of this war. American involvement increased by sending supplies; however, they were still considered neutral. The majority of Americans supported England and wanted to show their support; however, this action made many people nervous. It seemed that America was breaking its neutrality. The need to reassure the American public continues to grow. The 1941 State of the Union was the perfect place to do just that. FDR had one goal: to enter the Union State. His speech was intended to convince the American people of the growing need to increase their support for Britain. He made it clear that the United States would not become involved in new territories. America's light involvement in the war was based solely on protecting the ideals America is based on against fascism. “In the days ahead, which we seek to secure, we look forward to a world founded on four essential human freedoms.” What stood out were Roosevelt's four freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. It was big. Essentially, he implied in his speech that having such freedoms was an expectation of Americans and that they had a responsibility to defend them everywhere. FDR's Four Freedoms were meant to be seen as global initiatives. This would spark a movement for the United States to play a greater role in the international community. The effect can be seen in future conflicts and events such as the Cold War and the Vietnam War. FDR uses rhetorical language to further enhance his speech. “Every realist knows that the democratic way of life is currently.