This Week in History

October 23, 1941, the Senate passed a supplemental Lend-Lease bill of $5.98 billion. This action brought the United States closer to direct involvement in World War II. The Lend-Lease Act was approved by Congress in March. It gave President Roosevelt nearly unlimited authority to direct war materials and food to the war effort in Europe without violating the U.S. position of neutrality.

The aid assisted in the defense of nations whose security was deemed vital to the security of the United States. Of course, on December 7, 1941, the United States Naval Base in Hawaii was bombed by Japan. The U.S. declared war against Japan, and on December 11, 1941, war was declared against Germany. Now that the U.S. was fully involved in World War II, the nation’s defiance was set. General Patton said it succinctly - “May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won’t.”

Source(s): Library of Congress

Compiled by Bob Valen