Legislation1941
Lend-Lease Act Signed
President Roosevelt signed the Lend-Lease Act, authorizing the United States to supply military equipment to Allied nations fighting the Axis powers. The act effectively ended American neutrality and committed the nation to defending democracy abroad while remaining formally at peace.
Why It Matters
The Lend-Lease Act represented a pivotal shift in American foreign policy, establishing the principle that defending democracy internationally served America's own security and values.