USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

THE UNITED STATES IN WORLD WAR I

[SOURCES]
Why was the United States called the “arsenal of democracy” in 1940?

(A) The leaders in the democratic nations of Europe were educated in the United States.

(B) Most of the battles to defend worldwide democracy took place on American soil.

(C) The United States supervised elections in European nations before the war.

(D) ** The United States provided much of the weaponry needed to fight the Axis powers.

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -President Roosevelt promised the United States would help the United Kingdom fight Nazi Germany by lending and leasing military supplies to that country. President Roosevelt hoped the United States would be the arsenal of democracy because it would supply so many goods and weapons to its allies.

Concept note-2: -Appropriately, Detroit grew to be known as “The Arsenal of Democracy, ” a term coined by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during one of his Fireside Chat radio broadcasts. In the speech, delivered on December 29, 1940, Roosevelt made a “call to arm and support” the Allied powers, including Britain.

Concept note-3: -By the time the Japanese surrendered in 1945, the United States had fulfilled President Roosevelt’s admonition to become the great arsenal of democracy.

Concept note-4: -America became the “Arsenal of Democracy” by Lend-lease Act, aiding other countries with what they need to win the war, and by protecting the lend-lease ships that are sent to aid their allies.