Original U.S. WWII Pre-Entry Homefront Lend-Lease Pro-Isolationist Taxpayer Stewpot Ceramic Cup

Original Item. Only One Available. Prior to America’s entry into the Second World War following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the prevailing public mindset was one of isolationism. This sentiment was echoed by Republicans in Congress. Rallies for “America First” and chants of “No Foreign Wars” predominated. President Roosevelt, however, knew Britain needed foreign aid to survive. Following the fall of France in June 1940, the British Empire stood alone in war against Germany and Italy. Britain had been paying in gold for war necessities under the “cash and carry” policy mandated by the US Neutrality Acts of the 1930’s. By 1941, however, Britain had liquidated so many assets that it was running short of cash, thus running short of weapons and other necessary supplies.

In response, Roosevelt proposed the “Lend-Lease” bill. If passed by Congress, it would permit the president to “sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of,” military aid to any foreign governments whose defense he deemed vital to the defense of the United States. In December 1940, FDR proclaimed the US the “Arsenal of Democracy.” Isolationists—particularly Congressional Republicans—were strongly opposed and warned the bill’s passage would lead to American involvement in a European conflict. Opinion began to shift, however, as the public began to see that America could assist Britain while not committing American troops. Public opinion was also turned by propaganda depicting Blitz devastation and popular images depicting Germans as savages.

On 9 February 1941, the House of Representatives approved Lend-Lease, with the vote essentially following party lines. The bill passed the Senate a month later. President Roosevelt signed the Lend-Lease bill into law on 11 March 1941. He then approved $1 billion in Lend-Lease aid to Britain at the end of October, 1941. This little ceramic pot is a rare memento of a tumultuous time in Britain’s wartime history, when there was  definite uncertainty as to whether the United States would provide vital and necessary assistance.

This is a very interesting American-made Pro-isolationist ceramic cup showing a taxpayer in a stew pot labeled “Lend-Lease”. This is a pro-American isolationism piece, serving to warn that the taxpayer will be “in the stew” if Lend-Lease becomes law and he has to foot the bill for a foreign war. Measures about 3 1/4" across and 3 1/2" tall.

A very interesting piece from before the U.S. joined the war, ready for further research and display.