Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill, the leaders of the three major Allied powers, came to be known as the "Big Three".
In the process, Roosevelt pressed for the admission of China to the Allied councils as a major power, liberalization of international trade as a means of preventing future wars, and creation of a United Nations organization as a mechanism for preserving peace. He did not, however, see the end of the war. He died of a cerebral haemorrhage at Warm Springs, Georgia, on April 12, 1945.
Roosevelt's vision of a peaceful and stable post-war world foundered on national ambition. Although he bypassed Churchill and a weakened Great Britain to deal with Stalin at Yalta, it became apparent on the eve of his death that Soviet ambitions included the occupation of eastern and central Europe. His faith in the ability of the UN to keep the peace through the collaboration of the former wartime Allies proved unworkable in the era of the cold war.
The New Deal Coalition lasted for many years after Roosevelt's death. In addition, his long tenure in office during the crisis years of the Great Depression and World War II laid the groundwork for what later became known as the "imperial presidency".

In this famous speech, President Roosevelt lists unprovoked attacks by Japan and details the United States' reasons for declaring war. After the devastation at Pearl Harbor, the United States could no longer remain detached from the events in Europe and Asia. After this speech and the ensuing congressional vote, the United States entered the fray of World War II.


FDR'S Pearl Harbor Speech
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941-a date which will live in infamy-the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost.