Lend-Lease and FDR’s Arsenal of Democracy

Learning Objectives

I can explain how U.S. foreign policy shifted between 1939 and 1941
I can analyze primary source documents to identify historical arguments for supporting the Allies before the U.S. officially entered the war
I can use specific text evidence to defend a historical interpretation in writing and discussion

Standards

NYS Social Studies Framework 11.7a
C3 Framework D2.His.4.9-12
Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrix Level 3 and 4: Strategic reasoning, evaluating historical policy, supporting claims with evidence

Materials

Warm-Up Prompt
U.S. Involvement Timeline 1939 to 1941
Primary Source 1: FDR’s Arsenal of Democracy Speech (Excerpt, with full source link)
Primary Source 2: Lend-Lease Act (Excerpt, with full source link)
Student Organizer: Argument and Evidence Tracker
Exit Ticket

FFW (5 min, 10 sentences min): In 1940, Germany has invaded France and is bombing Britain daily. You are an American high school student. Should the United States send weapons and supplies to help Britain fight Hitler? Why or why not?

Share out

Historical Context

Today we will examine how the United States began to move away from neutrality even before entering the war. We will read two key documents: a speech from President Roosevelt and a law passed by Congress. These sources will help us answer an important question: Was the U.S. still neutral in 1941?

Distribute the U.S. Involvement Timeline and display it on the board.

Instructions: As the teacher reads each entry aloud, students underline the event they believe marks a turning point from neutrality to involvement.

U.S. Involvement Timeline: 1939 to 1941 (Student Handout)

September 1939 – Germany invades Poland. Britain and France declare war.

May 1940 – Germany invades France.

June 1940 – France surrenders to Germany. Britain remains alone.

July to October 1940 – Battle of Britain. London is bombed by the German air force.

December 1940 – President Roosevelt delivers his "Arsenal of Democracy" speech.

March 1941 – Congress passes the Lend-Lease Act, authorizing weapons shipments to Allied nations.

Primary Source Analysis

You are going to examine two sources that show how the United States began to take action to support the Allies, even before declaring war. One is a presidential speech. The other is a law. As you read, think about this question: Can a country stay neutral if it is sending weapons to one side in a war?

Primary Source 1: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Arsenal of Democracy Speech (Excerpt)

Delivered: December 29, 1940

“We must be the great arsenal of democracy. For us, this is an emergency as serious as war itself. We must apply ourselves to our task with the same resolution and urgency as if we were at war.”

“We will not send American boys into foreign wars. But we must be the supplier of arms and equipment to those who are already fighting for freedom.”

“Some of us like to believe that even if Britain falls, we are still safe. But the Nazi threat is global. Our own future is at stake.”

Primary Source 2: Lend-Lease Act (Excerpt)

Passed by Congress: March 11, 1941

“The President may authorize the transfer of defense articles to any country whose defense he deems vital to the defense of the United States.”

“Such aid will be provided without immediate payment. The receiving country shall return or repay the materials when the President considers it satisfactory.”

Students read and annotate both documents using Distribute the Argument and Evidence Tracker

Instructions:

Underline phrases that show the speaker’s purpose
In the margin, write one comment or question per paragraph
Complete the tracker table using quotes and interpretations

Argument and Evidence Tracker (Student Handout)

Source	Main Idea	Quote	What This Shows
Arsenal of Democracy	FDR argues that helping Britain will protect U.S. democracy	“We must be the great arsenal of democracy.”	The U.S. should send supplies but not troops
Lend-Lease Act	Congress authorizes sending weapons to Allies	“The President may authorize the transfer of defense articles...”	The U.S. is helping one side, even without declaring war

Synthesis Box at Bottom: In your own words, explain how these two sources show a shift in U.S. foreign policy from neutrality to involvement (5 - 8 sentences)

Think-Pair-Share

Instructions: Turn to a partner. Read your Synthesis Box aloud. Listen carefully. Then respond using one of the sentence frames on the board. Write how you responded to your partner in your notebook.

Sentence Frames:

I agree with your analysis because...
I would add that...
I think you interpreted that quote differently than I did because...

Exit Ticket (4 -5 sentences min) Was the United States still neutral by early 1941? Use at least one quote from today’s documents and explain your answer in four to five complete sentences.

Teacher circulates to ensure each student begins writing and checks for evidence use.