LEND-LEASE ACT
When war broke out in September of 1939, public opinion did not support American involvement in the conflict as many Americans viewed the conflict as a European one and could still recall the horrors of World War I. In March of 1941 the Lend-Lease Act was passed and gave President Franklin D. Roosevelt the ability to provide any military aid to nations during World War II. The act allowed the United States to support Allied endeavors without becoming over-extended in a land campaign. Britain, the Soviet Union, China and others received weapons under this act.
For example, Britain benefited under this act, as it received munitions and other materials of war when they were being horribly attacked and bombed by Nazi Germany. Some in the United States did not support the Lend-Lease Act and saw it as bringing the country closer to war. These people opposed the idea of the United States joining the conflict and wanted the United States to stay isolated from such global issues. Other supported the act as they saw it as a way to support an ally in trouble and to hopefully stop an aggressive country such as Germany from becoming too powerful. |