Freedom House was established in 1941 in New York City. Its creation was a result of a merger of two groups that had been formed, with the quiet encouragement of President Franklin D.Roosevelt, to encourage popular support for American involvement in World War II at a time when isolationist sentiments were running high in the United States.

From the beginning, Freedom House was notable for its bipartisan character. Its founders were a diverse group of prominent and influential Americans: journalists, business and labor leaders, academics, and former government officials. A key figure among its early leaders was Wendell Willkie, the Republican presidential nominee in 1940. Eleanor Roosevelt was also an ardent supporter and served, along with Willkie, as the organization’s first honorary co-chair.