How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)
Quote #4
American industrial genius, unmatched throughout all the world in the solution of production problems, has been called upon to bring its resources and its talents into action. Manufacturers of watches, of farm implements, of Linotypes and cash registers and automobiles, and sewing machines and lawn mowers and locomotives, are now making fuses and bomb packing crates and telescope mounts and shells and pistols and tanks. (155-156)
In other words, the time has come—this is the moment American manufacturing has been waiting for, the opportunity to prove just how innovative and powerful U.S. industry actually is.
How will that happen? FDR is mighty glad you asked.
All production of luxury goods—automobiles, watches, Linotypes, lawn mowers—will come to an end, and those factories and workers will dedicate themselves to making weapons of war. Everyone has to get their heads in the game.
Quote #5
I want to make it clear that it is the purpose of the nation to build now with all possible speed every machine, every arsenal, every factory that we need to manufacture our defense material. We have the men, the skill, the wealth, and above all, the will. (166-167)
Here's the thing about the United States that makes it so amazing: The American people always seem to rally together when the kitty litter hits the fan.
FDR knew U.S. industry was capable of accommodating the increased production, and he knew the workers had the skills necessary to make it happen. But he also sincerely believed that what set his people apart from the rest of the world is their dedication to freedom, and their dedication to protecting all people everywhere from threats of enslavement and death. At this point, the best way the United States could do that was to revamp the goods being produced in the country, and FDR knew the people had what it took to get the job done.