On August 31, 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Neutrality Act of 1935, which placed an embargo on arms and war materials on all countries involved in war. The act was used in October 1935 in response to Italy's invasion of Ethiopia to bar arms sales to both countries. The act was part of the Neutrality Acts of the 1930s, which came in response to the growing conflicts in Europe and Asia. They sought to prevent the US from becoming involved in the war.

Learn more about US attempts at neutrality during World War II from the Telegraph.