Can you post the short story in the comments? I'll be glad to help, i've never read it.
The late 1600s and 1700s (hope this helps)
Answer:
The Lend-Lease Act had given President Roosevelt virtually unlimited authority to direct material aid such as ammunition, tanks, airplanes, trucks, and food to the war effort in Europe without violating the nation's official position of neutrality.
The theme is power corruption