Aug. 31, 1935: President Roosevelt signs an act to limit involvement in international war

Wednesday 31 August 2011

The Neutrality Act, signed into law Aug. 31, 1935, was an effort by President Roosevelt to officially express "the desire … to avoid any action which might involve [the U.S.] in war."

With the act, Roosevelt wanted the new fascist governments in Europe to know that the U.S. did not want to be at war internationally, but he recognized the chance that the U.S. would want to join "similarly minded Governments to promote peace." The country did just that in 1941 by helping England fight the advance of Hilter's government with the Lend-Lease Act.