Neutrality Act of 1937

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The Neutrality Act of 1937 was a law that unsuccessfully attempted to keep the United States out of international conflicts, including civil wars. Major provisions included:

• a prohibition of exporting arms to belligerent nations
• a ban on loans to belligerents, except short-term credits
• American citizens were prohibited from travelling on belligerent vessels
• American ships trading with belligerents were required to remain unarmed
• American ships were forbidden from carrying arms to belligerents (see Cash and carry (World War II))
• belligerent governments and rebels were forbidden from soliciting funds from American citizens

In addition, the President had the optional authority to:

• require all exports to belligerents be on a Cash and Carry basis
• ban the export of selected goods and raw material to belligerents
• block American ports from use by belligerent warships
• exclude belligerent submarines and armed merchant vessels from American waters