When Roosevelt described the United States as the "arsenal of democracy," he meant that the country would use its vast resources to produce weapons and other materials to support democratic countries during World War II. The US would become a factory for the Allies, producing the necessary armaments, supplies, and equipment to fight against the Axis powers. This phrase also represented the idea that the US would be a leader in the fight against fascism and totalitarianism, and that the country would support other democratic nations in their struggle for freedom and democracy.