The Lend-Lease Act was a program initiated by the United States during World War II, starting in March 1941. It allowed the U.S. to supply its allies, particularly the United Kingdom and later the Soviet Union, with military equipment and supplies without immediate payment. This act aimed to support countries fighting against the Axis powers while keeping the U.S. out of direct conflict. Under the Lend-Lease Act, the U.S. provided everything from tanks and airplanes to food and medical supplies. The program was crucial in bolstering the defenses of allied nations and played a significant role in the eventual defeat of the Axis powers.