How did U.S. support for Allied nations before WWII impact its own military preparedness?

U.S. support for Allied nations before World War II, particularly through programs such as Lend-Lease, significantly enhanced domestic military production capacity. This support required the United States to ramp up its manufacturing of military equipment, supplies, and arms to aid its allies, particularly Britain and later the Soviet Union. As factories shifted to produce war materials, the economy transitioned towards wartime production, which not only created jobs but also fostered advancements in production techniques that would later benefit the U.S. military.

This buildup of military production laid the groundwork for the vast mobilization required once the U.S. entered the war in December 1941, providing a considerable advantage in terms of resources and military readiness. The increase in domestic production capabilities during this period was crucial; it allowed the U.S. to quickly equip its own forces and support Allied efforts, marking a strategic shift in military preparedness that was necessary for eventual engagement in the global conflict.