What did the National Defense Act of 1916 allow Congress to do?

The National Defense Act of 1916 was significant in its expansion and modernization of the United States military. This legislation was largely a response to the prevailing tensions in the world at that time and concerns about national security, particularly given the ongoing issues along the Mexican border and the broader context of World War I.

The act allowed Congress to enhance military readiness by developing an enlarged and modernized army, which included increased funding for army personnel, equipment, and training. This focus on modernizing the military laid the groundwork for the U.S. Army's significant expansion and transformation that was needed as the country prepared to enter World War I and would have lasting impacts on military policy and structure in the subsequent years.

Other options, while related to security or infrastructure, do not accurately capture the primary intent and outcome of the National Defense Act. The establishment of a border patrol or construction of a fence, for example, came later and was not part of the primary purpose of this act, which was focused on military capability. Building national parks, while beneficial for conservation and recreation, was unrelated to the military expansions that the National Defense Act aimed to achieve.