“The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger. The world will either move forward toward unity and widely shared prosperity—or it will move apart.”
- January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945
- American
- Politician
- [Achievements]
- As president of the United States, he promoted economic recovery from the Great Depression with the New Deal policy
- He led the Allied powers to victory in World War II
- [Criticism]
- His hard-line policy toward Japan triggered the attack on Pearl Harbor
- He pushed for the forced internment policy of Japanese Americans due to racist feelings toward the Japanese
- He promoted the Manhattan Project, a plan to develop the atomic bomb
Quote
“The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger. The world will either move forward toward unity and widely shared prosperity—or it will move apart.”
Explanation
In this quote, Franklin D. Roosevelt reflects on the critical juncture in history at which the world finds itself—where both opportunity and danger coexist. Roosevelt recognizes that the world is facing challenges that could either lead to global unity and shared prosperity or to division and conflict. The choice, he suggests, is not predetermined but depends on how nations and their leaders respond to the challenges of their time. Roosevelt’s words are a call to action, urging the world to pursue cooperation, peace, and economic equity rather than nationalism, isolationism, or inequality.
This quote was likely inspired by the global conditions following the Great Depression and on the brink of World War II, when Roosevelt saw the dangers of economic disparity, political instability, and militarism. Roosevelt believed that the world could avoid further conflict and economic turmoil if nations worked together toward a more unified, cooperative, and prosperous future. This was a key message in his vision for a post-war world, which would later manifest in institutions like the United Nations—designed to promote international cooperation, peace, and economic development.
In today’s context, Roosevelt’s words still resonate as the world faces issues like climate change, global inequality, and geopolitical tensions. The challenge remains whether the world will move forward toward unity, addressing global problems through collaboration and shared progress, or if it will become increasingly fragmented by division and self-interest. Roosevelt’s message serves as a reminder that global challenges require collective solutions, and the choices we make today will determine whether the world moves toward greater unity and prosperity or falls into discord and division.
