During the early years of World War II, Great Britain and its allies needed any assistance the United States could provide to defeat Hitler and the Axis powers.  Robert Jackson was instrumental in assisting President Roosevelt in arguing for aid in the form of the Destroyers for Bases Agreement and the Lend-Lease Act.  A series of Neutrality Acts from 1935 to 1937 had limited what aid the United States could offer Great Britain and its allies.  Through private negotiations (Destroyers for Bases Agreement) and Congressional debates (Lend-Lease Act), the United States provided much needed assistance to the allies, short of going to war.

Ask students to view the section of the DVD, Liberty Under Law:  The Robert Jackson Story, which describes Robert Jackson’s role in the debates over the Destroyers for Bases Agreement and the Lend-Lease Act

(16:20-20:42 minutes).  After viewing this segment on the DVD, ask students to describe the background for each program. Emphasize the following points:

• The limitations imposed on United States involvement in assisting the Allies by the various Neutrality Acts from 1935 to 1937
• The reasons why Great Britain needed destroyers and why the allies needed military hardware and supplies
• The provisions of the Destroyers for Bases Agreement and the Lend-Lease Act
• Robert Jackson’s role in preparing and supporting both programs to aid the Allied cause.

Provide small groups of students with the article, “Destroyers for Bases Agreement, September 2, 1940” taken from the Jackson Center newsletter for September 2, 2015.  The article can be found on-line at www.roberthjackson.org/?s=destroyers+for+bases.

Ask students to answer the questions on "Destroyers for Bases Agreement and Lend-Lease Act Questions"

Have students read President Roosevelt’s press conference announcing the Destroyers for Bases Agreement.  Ask small groups of students to prepare a press release announcing the program and explaining why it was important for the Allies.

Students can find the press conference on-line at https://fdrlibrary.worldpress.com/tag/destroyers-for-bases/#jp-carousel-262

Or at www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/_resources/images/pc/pc0107.pdf.   Go to September 3, 1940 press conference #677.

As a follow-up activity, students can read President Roosevelt’s Message to Congress and compare it to their press releases.  The Message to Congress, September 3, 1940 can be found at www.ibiblio.org/pha/7-2-188/188-19.html.

Provide students with the following excerpts from President Franklin Roosevelt’s December 17, 1940 press conference and his January 6, 1941 annual Message to Congress.  Ask students to explain why President Roosevelt called on Congress to approve the Lend-Lease Act.

Robert Jackson defended the legality of the Lend-Lease Act and emphasized its importance to assisting the Allied cause.  Have student groups debate whether the Lend-Lease Act violated the United States policy of neutrality.

President Roosevelt’s December 17, 1940 press conference can be found on-line at https://edsitement.neh.gov/launchpad-fdr-lend-lease-act.

Ask students to explain what FDR was trying to explain with his analogy about lending his neighbor a garden hose.

President Roosevelt’s annual Message to Congress, January 6, 1941 can be fond on-line at http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/od4freed.html. This site also includes an audio version of this message.

Students can find a copy of the final Lend-Lease Act entitled, “1776-An Act Further to Promote the Defense of the United States” at www.ourdocuments.gov.  Search under “Lend-Lease Act.”

In an essay format, have students summarize the elements of the law and discuss why President Franklin Roosevelt called on the United States to become the “Arsenal of Democracy.”  Ask students to reflect on what role the United States should play in assisting in or resolving international conflicts.  What advice do students think Robert Jackson would give to future presidents about United States involvement in foreign wars or conflicts?