Question

Franklin Roosevelt's State of the Union Address, 1941, excerpt

(…) For there is nothing mysterious about the foundations of a healthy and strong democracy. The basic things expected by our people of their political and economic systems are simple. They are:
Equality of opportunity for youth and for others.
Jobs for those who can work.
Security for those who need it.
The ending of special privilege for the few
The preservation of civil liberties for all.
The enjoyment of the fruits of scientific progress in a wider and constantly rising standard of living.
These are the simple, basic things that must never be lost sight of in the turmoil and unbelievable complexity of our modern world. The inner and abiding strength of our economic and political systems is dependent upon the degree to which they fulfill these expectations.
Many subjects connected with our social economy call for immediate improvement. As examples:
We should bring more citizens under the coverage of old-age pensions and unemployment insurance.
We should widen the opportunities for adequate medical care.
We should plan a better system by which persons deserving or needing gainful employment may obtain it.
I have called for personal sacrifice. I am assured of the willingness of almost all Americans to respond to that call. A part of the sacrifice means the payment of more money in taxes. In my Budget Message I shall recommend that a greater portion of this great defense program be paid for from taxation than we are paying today. No person should try, or be allowed, to get rich out of this program; and the principle of tax payments in accordance with ability to pay should be constantly before our eyes to guide our legislation.
If the Congress maintains these principles, the voters, putting patriotism ahead of pocketbooks, will give you their applause.
In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants—everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world.
That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation. That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called new order of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.
To that new order we oppose the greater conception—the moral order. A good society is able to face schemes of world domination and foreign revolutions alike without fear.
Since the beginning of our American history, we have been engaged in change—in a perpetual peaceful revolution—a revolution which goes on steadily, quietly adjusting itself to changing conditions—without the concentration camp or the quick—lime in the ditch. The world order which we seek is the cooperation of free countries, working together in a friendly, civilized society.
This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its millions of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them. Our strength is our unity of purpose.
To that high concept there can be no end save victory.
Which of the following best explains how Roosevelt softens the need for sacrifice?
(A) By arguing the evils of the system as it exists now must be overcome with enthusiasm
(B) By explaining the system is not intended for abuse and including everyone in the call to give
(C) By including evidence from more sinister governments that are not as generous
(D) By integrating appeals using the poor and elderly to get the listeners' sympathy

Answer 1

Franklin Roosevelt softens the request for sacrifice by explaining the need for equitable contributions to the country's defense efforts and by calling for patriotism and unity, situating these sacrifices within the larger moral context of protecting democratic values and the four essential human freedoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

In his 1941 State of the Union Address, Franklin Roosevelt effectively softens the need for sacrifice during a time of national defense efforts and the prelude to the U.S. entering World War II. He does this by (B) explaining the system is not intended for abuse and including everyone in the call to give. Roosevelt reassures the public that both democratic values and a fair economic system are at the core of his policies, which include taxation according to one's ability to pay and avoiding profiteering from the defense program. By emphasizing these values and calling for unity and personal sacrifice, Roosevelt aims to cultivate a spirit of patriotism that outweighs individual financial concerns.

The President delineates his vision of the four fundamental human freedoms, which include freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. These freedoms constitute the moral framework for a world in contrast to the tyranny of dictatorships. Roosevelt's address creates an idealistic vision aimed at uniting the country and drawing upon Americans' altruism and sense of justice to motivate participation in the collective war effort.