September 1939

US and World Events plus Additional Resources

   
 
 

On September 21, 1939, FDR urged Congress to repeal provisions of the Neutrality Act that proclaimed an embargo on the sale of arms, munitions and airplanes and other war materials for “belligerents” in the European War. “I now ask again that such action be taken in respect to that part of the Act which is wholly inconsistent with ancient precepts of the law of nations–the embargo provisions. I ask it because they are, in my opinion, most vitally dangerous to American neutrality, American security and, above all, American peace.” Read the full message at The American Presidency Project.