We explain what the 1935 neutrality law was. In addition, its amendments and the historical context.
What was the 1935 neutrality law?
The 1935 neutrality law was a law approved by the US Congress and signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in August 1935. Its purpose was to keep the United States out of any possible war In Europe and Asia.
The law of neutrality prohibited the sending of war material to any side faced In a military conflict and prohibited American citizens from traveling in ships from belligerent countries, except if they did it at their own risk.
The law of neutrality It was part of the isolationism of the United States And it was sustained in the belief that the entry of this country in World War I (1914-1918) had been a mistake.
In 1936 and 1937, the law of neutrality was renewed and modified. A new amendment In 1939, after the beginning of World War II (1939-1945), it allowed the sale of weapons to countries at war under a series of conditions. American isolationism was replaced by a growing commitment to allies, Headed by the United Kingdom, free France and China.
This led to the Loan Law and Lease of March 1941, which allowed to send supplies to the allies, and the repeal, in November 1941, of most of the provisions contained in the laws of neutrality. On December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan attacked the American base of Pearl Harbor and, a day later, the United States entered the war.
Key points
- The 1935 neutrality law was approved by the US Congress to prevent the United States from getting involved in a World War. He had some amendments between 1936 and 1939.
- This law prohibited the sale of war material to belligerent countries. It was sanctioned in view of the growing expansionism of Japan in Asia and Germany and Italy in Europe.
- In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt managed to approve the Loan Law and rent and the Neutrality Law was annulled. In December 1941, the United States entered World War II.
The historical context
The US president Woodrow Wilson had promoted internationalism by promoting the creation of the Nations Society in 1919, but failed to enter the United States into it due to the refusal of the Senate. After this failure, the US government once again characterized itself by its traditional isolationism in international matters.
American isolationism was particularly noticeable in the 1930s. During this time many leaders opposed to resort to war as a method for conflict resolution. In addition, it became necessary face the internal economic problems due to the great depression that had begun in 1929. Internal policy was considered more urgent that the fight against fascism and Nazism in Europe.
Franklin D. Roosevelt reached the presidency of the United States in 1933 And he was interested in international affairs. That same year he established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and became the first US president to recognize the Soviet government.
On the other hand, in 1931 the Empire of Japan began an expansive policy in Asia and, in 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany and began to take militarist measuressuch as rearmament and establishing compulsory military service in 1935.
Despite the threat of Germany's expansion in Europe and Japan in Asia, The majority position in the US congress was isolationism. In 1935 Roosevelt ended up accepting the law of neutrality that guaranteed that the United States remained outside a possible war in both Europe and Asia.
The amendments of the Neutrality Law
The neutrality law was approved by the US Congress on August 31, 1935. Prohibited the export of weapons, ammunition and other war materials to countries that were at war. He also warned of US citizens who, if they were traveling in ships from belligerent countries, did it at their own risk.
Although Roosevelt had initially opposed the law, finally accepted it. When fascist Italy invaded Ethiopia in October 1935, Roosevelt invoked the neutrality law and prohibited the sending of war materials to these countries.
The law of neutrality It was amended several times:
- In February 1936. It was renewed and the prohibition of granting American loans to belligerent countries was added.
- Between January and May 1937. Following the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in July 1936, it was sought to extend the effects of the law to civil wars. The amendment was approved in May 1937. It also included a provision that allowed the United States to export materials that were not considered of war through the “Cash and Carry” system (pay and transport), which established that they should be paid immediately and transported in ships that were not Americans. This provision was aimed at favoring the United Kingdom and France in case of war with Germany.
- In November 1939. Two months after the start of World War II, the Law It was amended to allow the sale of armament to countries at war under the principle of “Cash and Carry” (pay and transport), which was a triumph of Roosevelt against the isolationist.
- In November 1941. Months after the loan and lease law was approved that allowed the United States to send military supplies, fuels and food to the allies, the law was reformed again. Several provisions were repealed, such as those that prohibited with weapons with the US merchant ships and those that prevented US ships from entering combat areas.
The law of neutrality had been annulled in practice before the entrance of the United States in World War II. After the Japanese attack to Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States finally entered the war.
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References
- Bender, T. (2023). History of the United States. A nation between nations. 21st century.
- Britannica, Encyclopaedia (2023). isolationism. Britannica Encyclopedia. https://www.britannica.com/
- Jenkins, P. (2019). Brief history of the United States. 5th. edition. Alliance.
- Sevillano Calero, F. (2020). The Europe of award. The disrupted order. Synthesis.
- United States Department of State (SF). The Neutrality Acts, 1930s. Office of the Historyn. https://history.state.gov/
