What is Freedom?
The term freedom resonates with many across the world. The idea of freedom,
however, is dependent on its context. Freedom is defined as the state of being free or at liberty
rather than in confinement or under physical restraint (4). To understand what freedom is, it is
imperative to note the term with respect to its subjectivity. Freedom in one country
may be vastly different than freedom in another.
To understand freedom in the United States, per say, this constantly modified term is
dependent upon its subjectivity with regards to time. The freedoms American citizens know
have been pronounced by a multitude of previous events. World War II had been a significant
event that would [re]shape the definition of freedom in the United States. Within a few short years, the
public's idea of freedom covertly adjusted based on the needs of the government.
Visit the Timeline page for more information about the events that helped shape U.S. freedom.
The term freedom resonates with many across the world. The idea of freedom,
however, is dependent on its context. Freedom is defined as the state of being free or at liberty
rather than in confinement or under physical restraint (4). To understand what freedom is, it is
imperative to note the term with respect to its subjectivity. Freedom in one country
may be vastly different than freedom in another.
To understand freedom in the United States, per say, this constantly modified term is
dependent upon its subjectivity with regards to time. The freedoms American citizens know
have been pronounced by a multitude of previous events. World War II had been a significant
event that would [re]shape the definition of freedom in the United States. Within a few short years, the
public's idea of freedom covertly adjusted based on the needs of the government.
Visit the Timeline page for more information about the events that helped shape U.S. freedom.
Keep your trap shut, careless talk may cost American lives. Public Domain.
U.S. Involvement in the World Wars
Following the conclusion of World War I, many Americans found that U.S. involvement had been meaningless. Public opinion found that 75% of responses stated that American participation had been a mistake (1). President Franklin D. Roosevelt understood the support rallied by politics and the public for non-U.S. involvement in any subsequent wars.
Understanding Isolationism
The United States continued to gain full support from her peoples to remain neutral. Isolation was the country's best option maintain its freedom and prevent the same mistake from occurring a second time. This bipartisan policy had drawn support from across the social and political spectrum (1). The fundamental idea was not absolute withdrawal, but rather a belief. Two principles were associated with this idea: 1) the U.S. should avoid any political commitment that directly interfered with political actions of other nations, and 2) the central aim of American foreign policy was to avoid foreign wars.
Following the conclusion of World War I, many Americans found that U.S. involvement had been meaningless. Public opinion found that 75% of responses stated that American participation had been a mistake (1). President Franklin D. Roosevelt understood the support rallied by politics and the public for non-U.S. involvement in any subsequent wars.
Understanding Isolationism
The United States continued to gain full support from her peoples to remain neutral. Isolation was the country's best option maintain its freedom and prevent the same mistake from occurring a second time. This bipartisan policy had drawn support from across the social and political spectrum (1). The fundamental idea was not absolute withdrawal, but rather a belief. Two principles were associated with this idea: 1) the U.S. should avoid any political commitment that directly interfered with political actions of other nations, and 2) the central aim of American foreign policy was to avoid foreign wars.
U.S. Freedom During WWII
History has demonstrated that the United States will go to great lengths to achieve freedom. The overarching idea of freedom has remained the same in America throughout her history. Though success of her freedom is acknowledged, there is little regard to the people that sacrificed their lives in order for her freedom to be obtained. During U.S. involvement in WWII the nation had been fighting for worldwide freedom against oppressors. In the meantime, the United States had been an oppressor to her own people.
Following Pearl Harbor the U.S. government had forcibly placed Japanese American citizens in internment camps across the nation (5). African Americans were still forced to live in the reality of segregated arms forces (15). People on American soil were forced to relinquish their own freedom so that others could maximize its full potential. Freedom's ideology is subjective in every aspect. It's subjectivity not only differs with respect to time, but it also differs among people as well. U.S. involvement in World War II was a paramount event that would determine freedom across a large number of nations, yet the freedoms of American citizens carried no regard.
History has demonstrated that the United States will go to great lengths to achieve freedom. The overarching idea of freedom has remained the same in America throughout her history. Though success of her freedom is acknowledged, there is little regard to the people that sacrificed their lives in order for her freedom to be obtained. During U.S. involvement in WWII the nation had been fighting for worldwide freedom against oppressors. In the meantime, the United States had been an oppressor to her own people.
Following Pearl Harbor the U.S. government had forcibly placed Japanese American citizens in internment camps across the nation (5). African Americans were still forced to live in the reality of segregated arms forces (15). People on American soil were forced to relinquish their own freedom so that others could maximize its full potential. Freedom's ideology is subjective in every aspect. It's subjectivity not only differs with respect to time, but it also differs among people as well. U.S. involvement in World War II was a paramount event that would determine freedom across a large number of nations, yet the freedoms of American citizens carried no regard.