Lend Lease Act Case Study

March 11, 1941: The house of Representatives passes the Lend Lease Act On March 11, 1941 president Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Lend-Lease Act. President Franklin D. Roosevelt told the United States “I don’t say, ... ‘Neighbor, my garden hose cost me $15; you have to pay me $15 for it’ ... I don’t want $15 — I want my garden hose back after the fire is over.” This act allowed the president to lend, sell,or lease arms or any other defense materials to other nations as long as Congress approved. The United States could send supplies to Britain, China, the Soviet Union and other countries in need. The countries that received weapons were Britain, the Soviet Union, China, Brazil, and many other countries. This law allowed the United States

Although the attack was a complete surprise, the United States had had tension with Japan for decades. The United States hated how the Japanese had been treating the people in China. Japan declared war on China because they thought the only way to help their economy was to gain territory from China their neighbor. Next the U.S stopped selling oil to Japan. Although the U.S. was not close with Japan, no one expected Japan to bomb the U.S. After the attacking Roosevelt asked congress to declare war on Japan. “Yesterday, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked. No matter now long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.” On December 8, 1941 congress approved the declaration of war with just one opposing vote. The only opposing vote was from a woman named Jeannette Rankin who was a representative from Montana. She had also voted against joining world war I. She said, "As a woman," she said, "I can’t go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else.” Three days later on December 11, 1941 Japans allies Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. and the U.S. declared war back at them. This brought the United States in World War