○  franklin d. roosevelt: the four freedoms  ○

what i seek to convey is the historic truth that the united states as a nation has at all times maintained opposition—clear, definite opposition—to any attempt to lock us in behind an ancient chinese 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.

that determination of ours, extending over all these years, was proved, for example, in the early days during the quarter century of wars following the french revolution.  while the napoleonic struggle did threaten interests of the united states because of the french foothold in the west indies and in louisiana, and while we engaged in the war of 1812 to vindicate our right to peaceful trade, it is nevertheless clear that neither france nor great britain nor any other nation was aiming at domination of the whole world.

and in like fashion, from 1815 to 1914—ninety-nine years—no single war in europe or in asia constituted a real threat against our future or against the future of any other american nation.

except in the maximilian interlude in mexico, no foreign power sought to establish itself in this hemisphere.  and

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