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Lend Lease: A Transformation of American Foreign Policy
Malik Fakhouri
HST 3210
October 19, 2022
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Susan Dunn's book, A Blueprint for War, talks about the US government's Lend Lease
program, which allowed the country to support its allies militarily without declaring war. Many
people rejected the idea at the time because it was controversial. But in the end, it turned out to
be a productive strategy for aiding the allies in winning the conflict. Lend Lease marked a
significant shift in American foreign policy. For the first time, the United States gave direct
military assistance to another nation with the express purpose of aiding that nation in conducting
war. Prior to Lend Lease, the main goal of American foreign policy was to keep out of European
war entanglements (Dunn, 2019, p. 152). Lend Lease was a transformational moment in
American foreign policy because it was the first instance in which the US sent direct military
assistance to another nation with the explicit purpose of aiding that nation in fighting a war.
Before Lend Lease, the main goal of American foreign policy was to keep out of European wars.
The United States was able to fight World War II and become more involved in
international issues as a result of this policy change. Relationships with important allies like
Britain and Canada were also strengthened in large part due to Lend Lease. It enabled the US to
offer military assistance to any nation it deemed essential to its own interests. This created power
that was in the control of the US’s own hands, giving them a major advantage and changing their
course of foreign policy. This was a significant change from the previous policy of isolationism,
which had prevented the United States from getting involved in European affairs (Dunn, 2019, p.
194). In response to the mounting threat posed by Nazi Germany, the Lend Lease act was
established, which contributed to the allies' eventual success in the war. Military assistance from
the United States was given to nations like Britain and France, which were essential allies in the
struggle against Nazi Germany. The Lend Lease initiative advanced American foreign policy
significantly and contributed to the country's eventual victory in World War II. It is important to
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remember that without the support of significant allies like Britain and France, this act would not
have been achievable. It is unlikely that the Lend Lease initiative would have been successful
without their cooperation. The necessity for military support during World War II was a
significant element in the passage of the Lend Lease initiative.
Because it represented a change in focus from isolationism to interventionism, the Lend
Lease initiative had a profound impact on American foreign policy. The Lend Lease Act was a
major transformation of American foreign policy because it demonstrated that America was
ready to assume a leading position in the struggle against fascism and marked a significant shift
in American foreign policy (Dunn, 2019, p. ix). The initiative gave American military assistance
to nations fighting the Axis Powers during World War II. The Lend Lease program marked a
crucial turning point in American history and contributed to the success of the Allies. Without
the plan, the Axis Powers would have most probably prevailed. The Lend Lease initiative also
demonstrated that America was prepared and able to support its allies in difficult circumstances,
a value that would be seem again later on during the Cold War. Last but not least, the program
aided in fostering positive ties with many of America's European allies, which were critical when
the country entered World War II in 1941. Thus, the Lend Lease initiative marks a pivotal
moment in American history and a substantial shift in the nation's foreign policy. Up until this
moment, the United States had maintained its neutrality in World War II, but it soon reversed its
position as it became clear that Germany was winning the conflict. America was able to
overcome the Axis Powers thanks to the Lend Lease initiative.
The Lend Lease program had several other consequences on the American society and
politics. One benefit was that it strengthened the alliance between the United States and its allies
(Dunn, 2019, p. 126). In addition to defeating Germany, America also wanted to protect its allies
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from invasion by the Axis Powers. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a global
alliance created to defend its members against assault, was established as a result of this
cooperation. The Lend Lease policy also contributed to the advancement of American
democracy as a powerful worldwide force. The United States was the only nation to significantly
support the Allies militarily and financially during World War II, which contributed to its
dominance in international affairs following the war. Because of the Lend Lease program,
America's political, economic, and military power played a significant role in the Allies' victory
in World War II.
The Lend Lease Act marked a transition from isolationism to interventionism in America,
which profoundly altered their foreign policy (Dunn, 2019, p. 1). The act permitted the United
States to offer assistance to any nation that was thought to be essential to national security
without starting a war. This created a big change from America's prior isolationist policy, which
attempted to keep the country out of the conflict. Additionally, the initiative aided in opening the
door for America's involvement in World War II and resulted in the Lend Lease Act being a
major step in changing American foreign policy and solidifying America's position as a major
global force.
The initiative also aided in fostering better relations between the US and its allies. For
instance, the United States built close ties with France and Great Britain, which later aided them
in becoming more potent allies. The Lend Lease Act worked to make sure that America would
have a crucial ally in future global conflict by aiding these nations in strengthening their
militaries. Overall, the Lend Lease Act marked a fundamental shift in American foreign policy
because it demonstrated the United States' dedication to defending its allies and indicated a
change in policy from isolationism to interventionism.
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A transformative example that demonstrated America's willingness and ability to help its
allies in times of war was the aid provision America provided to Britain and the Soviet Union
during World War II. Lend Lease came as a response to the Axis Powers' violence and showed
that America was committed to defending their nation and its democracy. Dunn discusses Lend
Lease in the context of World War II and how the foreign policy change was a direct result of the
war and Lend Lease. It represented America's commitment to the Allies and the willingness to
work with them and provide the support they required. Lend Lease was an important step in
creating the much-needed bond between powerful nations to work against the enemy during
World War II and carry on to help them in later world-wide conflicts.
A major driving force during the time of war was President Franklin D. Roosevelt who
was a decisive leader during World War II, and his leadership helped the United States triumph
over the Axis Powers. Roosevelt's political skills were crucial in rallying the American people
behind the war effort and convincing them to make sacrifices for their country (Dunn, 2019, p.
133). With his political and communication skills, he was able to gain the confidence of not only
his own country, but also other countries who teamed with the United States. His leadership also
helped create an effective coalition government that synchronized America's various military
campaigns against the Axis Powers.
In addition, FDR's commitment to democracy and his readiness to use force if necessary,
helped overthrow the Axis Powers. FDR was an influential and visionary leader during World
War II, and his efforts helped the United States emerge as a major world power after the war.
FDR saw the need for the United States to join the war effort and ally with Britain and China to
help them defeat Nazi Germany and Japan. Lend Lease helped to bolster morale among
America's allies and prevented them from collapsing during the time of war. Lend Lease was an
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important initiative in American foreign policy development because it helped to secure
America's place as a world power.
Additionally, policy change contributed to the Allies winning World War II. Through
Lend Lease, the United States was able to give supplies and equipment to the Allied countries
who were battling the Axis powers. The Allies' ability to win the war was greatly due to this
assistance. It is unlikely that the Allies would have been able to defeat the Axis forces without
the Lend Lease initiative. As a result of this initiative's role in ensuring the Allies' victory in
World War II, it was a crucial turning point in American history. Other effects of the Lend Lease
program on American politics and society are numerous. The government's already
huge debt rose as one effect. Another effect was the rise in government spending. Consequently,
taxes increased (Dunn, 2019, p. 130). The initiative also increased the executive branch of
government's authority. Finally, the initiative had a number of detrimental effects on the US
economy. Among these were an increase in inflation and a fall in production. Additionally, the
Lend Lease program created controversy because many people thought it would trigger war with
Japan. The initiative also generated a lot of resentment among Americans who believed their
taxes were being utilized to fund their European allies' war efforts. Overall, the Lend Lease
policy did have a few detrimental effects on American politics and society.
The Lend Lease initiative signified a dramatic shift in American foreign policy. This
initiative was created to provide the Allies with essential metals like magnesium and aluminum.
The effort was effective in getting these resources to the Allies, which helped the Allies win the
war. Following World War I, the United States took an isolationist stance, avoiding involvement
in European matters in favor of concentrating on domestic problems. With the Lend Lease
agreement, which the US and Britain entered into in 1940 in exchange for the use of British
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naval bases in the Atlantic, this situation changed. The agreement signaled a fundamental shift in
American foreign policy and the nation's readiness to engage in more global affairs (Dunn, 2019,
p. 80). It cannot be emphasized enough how important the Lend Lease act was in influencing
America's decision to enter World War II. The Lend Lease act helped Britain fight Nazi
Germany and win the war by giving it essential military hardware. The deal also showed that the
United States was willing to cooperate with other nations to safeguard important interests, an
approach that would later be taken in future conflicts. It is important to note the significance of
the Lend Lease in American history or the influence it had on world affairs. It was the first step
in America's transition from an isolationist to an interventionist country, and its influence on how
World War II played out cannot be emphasized.
In conclusion, the Lend Lease initiative did alter American foreign policy and impact the
outcome of the conflict. The initiative's main goal was to support Britain, a country that was a
close ally of the US. The initiative changed and improved American relations with Britain, which
had a tremendous impact on American foreign policy. The initiative, which altered American
foreign policy by making it more interventionist, was a crucial step in aiding Britain during
World War II. As a result, the Lend Lease initiative can be seen as a fundamental change in
American foreign policy.
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References
Dunn, S. (2019). A blueprint for war: Fdr and the Hundred Days that mobilized America. Yale
University Press.