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Freedom from fear facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
"Freedom from Fear" - NARA - 513538
Freedom from Fear by painter Norman Rockwell from 1943

Freedom from fear is a very important human right. It means people should be able to live without being afraid of violence or danger. This idea was shared by American President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He said it was one of the Four Freedoms that everyone in the world should have.

President Roosevelt talked about these Four Freedoms in a special speech on January 6, 1941. This speech is often called the Four Freedoms Speech.

What is Freedom from Fear?

This right, along with Roosevelt's other three Four Freedoms, is part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This important document was agreed upon by the United Nations on December 10, 1948. The idea of Freedom from fear is written right at the beginning of the UN Declaration.

Roosevelt's Vision

In his speech, President Roosevelt explained what he meant by this freedom. He said:

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.

—Franklin D. Roosevelt, January 6, 1941

This means that countries should reduce their weapons so much that no nation can attack another. It's about creating a peaceful world where people don't have to worry about war or violence.

Inspired by Freedom

Many people have been inspired by the idea of "Freedom from Fear."

Art and Literature

In 1943, the famous painter Norman Rockwell created a painting called Freedom from Fear. It was one of four paintings he made based on Roosevelt's Four Freedoms.

Aung San Suu Kyi, a well-known leader, has often spoken about this right. She even wrote a book titled Freedom From Fear in 1991. Historian David M. Kennedy was also inspired by this idea. In 1999, he published his book called Freedom From Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929–1945.

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