The Defense of Freedom - Four Addresses on the Present Crisis in American Democracy

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Liam

This collection of four addresses by Edmund Ezra Day, then President of Cornell University, provides a scholarly examination of the existential crises facing American democracy in the early 1940s. With an introduction by historian Carl L. Becker, the text explores the fundamental challenges to democratic integrity during a time of global turbulence. The work includes insightful reflections on national defense, the character implications of the shifting social landscape, and the essential discipline required of free men to sustain a democratic society. Originally published in 1941 by Cornell University Press, this historical volume offers a profound perspective on the responsibilities of citizens and the institutional role of universities in preserving liberty. Its thematic depth remains a significant contribution to American political thought, emphasizing that freedom is not merely a given state but a continuous endeavor requiring vigilant protection and intellectual rigor.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages78

Reading Time2 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

What Really Threatens American Democracy?

A Comprehensive Program of National Defense

Character Implications of the Present Social Situation

The Discipline of Free Men

FAQs

Who is the author of The Defense of Freedom?

The work was written by Edmund Ezra Day, who was the President of Cornell University at the time of publication.

What is the primary theme of the collection?

The book addresses the crises facing American democracy during the early 1940s and explores the essential values and disciplines required to defend freedom.

When and by whom was this work originally published?

It was published in 1941 by the Cornell University Press.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Liam