<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> American public opinion was hostile to Hitler's Germany, but how much aid to give the Allies was controversial . Public opinion was even more hostile to Japan, and there was little opposition to increased support for China . By 1940 the U.S., while still neutral, was becoming the "Arsenal of Democracy" for the Allies, supplying money and war materials . The sudden defeat of France in spring 1940 caused the nation to begin to greatly grow its armed forces, including the first peacetime draft . After the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, America began sending Lend Lease aid to the Soviet Union as well as Britain and China . </P> <P> Prior to America's entry into World War II in December 1941, individual Americans volunteered to fight against the Axis powers in other nations' armed forces . Although under American law, it was illegal for United States citizens to join the armed forces of foreign nations and in doing so, they lost their citizenship, many American volunteers changed their nationality to Canadian . However Congress passed a blanket pardon in 1944 . American mercenary Colonel Charles Sweeny living in London began recruiting American citizens to fight as a U.S. volunteer detachment in the French Air force, however France fell before this was implemented . During the Battle of Britain, 11 American pilots flew in the RAF, one of whom was killed . Charles Sweeney's nephew, also called Charles formed a Home Guard unit from American volunteers living in London . </P>

When did the us start preparing for ww2
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