2. How did letting countries "borrow"supplies benefit the United States?

Letting countries "borrow" supplies, formally known as the Lend-Lease Act, benefited the United States in several ways during World War II:<br /><br />* **Supporting Allies without direct military intervention:** Before the US officially entered the war, Lend-Lease allowed them to provide crucial material support to countries fighting against the Axis powers (primarily Great Britain, China, and the Soviet Union). This bolstered their defenses and war efforts, indirectly weakening the Axis powers and buying the US time to prepare for potential entry into the conflict.<br /><br />* **Boosting the American economy:** The program dramatically increased production in the United States, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. Factories ramped up production of war materials, from tanks and planes to food and munitions, leading to a significant reduction in unemployment and a surge in industrial output.<br /><br />* **Positioning the US as a global leader:** By providing aid to struggling nations, the US established itself as a crucial player on the world stage and a defender of democracy against fascism. This strengthened international alliances and laid the groundwork for the US's post-war leadership role.<br /><br />* **Securing strategic bases and resources:** In exchange for Lend-Lease aid, the US sometimes negotiated access to military bases and strategic resources in recipient countries. This enhanced their global military presence and secured access to vital materials.<br /><br />* **Avoiding the debts and controversies of WWI:** After World War I, the US faced difficulties collecting war debts from European nations. Lend-Lease was designed to avoid this issue by framing the aid as borrowed materials that could be returned or paid for later, though much of it was ultimately written off. This prevented a repeat of the post-WWI financial tensions.<br />