Allies Aided By U.S.

Neutrality Acts

May 18, 1937

Congress passes neutrality acts, making it illegal to sell arms or lend money to nations at war.

FDR Asking Congress

Sep 18, 1939

Presient Roosevelt asks Congress to allow Allies to buy American arms

Lend-Lease Acts

Mar 18, 1941

Congress passes Lend-Lease Acts, allowing the President to lend or lease arms and other supplies to any country vital to the United States

U.S., British, and Germans Take to the Water

Jul 18, 1941

U.S. ships start escorting British supply ships, and Germans mobilize their submarines to sink them

Undeclared Naval War with Germany

Sep 4, 1941

German U-Boat opens fire upon a U.S. destroyer. Roosevelt orders navy to fire upon German subs at will.