In 1941, a group of activists in New York City – Herbert and Eleanor Agar, Dorothy Thompson, George Field, and Ulric Bell – united to form Freedom House at the behest of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. At the time, the United States had no formal involvement in World War II. Given that context, the hawkish activists sought to combat two things: the propaganda emanating from the Nazis’ Braunes Haus in Munich and the isolationism of the American public. After the war, Freedom House shifted to supporting the post-war liberal international order and civil rights at home. The organization furthered its agenda through policy statements and research reports, which it financed through membership fees and special events.

By the turn of the twenty-first century, Freedom House was one of the most active, professional organizations in the democracy establishment. It describes itself “an independent watchdog organization that supports the expansion of freedom around the world. Freedom House supports democratic change, monitors freedom, and advocates democracy and human rights.” Its 120 staff members in more than one dozen global offices design and implement democracy-assistance projects that are largely funded by the United States government. Such programs support the rule of law, strengthen civil society organizations, and encourage women's political participation, among other things. Staff also advance Freedom House's mission through research, including through creating indices measuring aspects of democracy. The organization's domestic activities ceased long ago, and its international programs have also changed considerably over time.