<P> He prevailed over the isolationists, and on November 4 the Neutrality Act of 1939 was passed, allowing for arms trade with belligerent nations (Great Britain and France) on a cash - and - carry basis, thus in effect ending the arms embargo . Furthermore, the Neutrality Acts of 1935 and 1937 were repealed, American citizens and ships were barred from entering war zones designated by the President, and the National Munitions Control Board (which had been created by the 1935 Neutrality Act) was charged with issuing licenses for all arms imports and exports . Arms trade without a license became a federal crime, with a penalty of up to two years in prison . </P> <P> The end of neutrality policy came with the Lend - Lease Act of March 1941, which allowed the U.S. to sell, lend or give war materials to nations the US administration wanted to support . </P> <P> After repeated attacks by German submarines on U.S. ships, Roosevelt announced on September 11, 1941, that he had ordered the U.S. Navy to attack German and Italian war vessels in the "waters which we deem necessary for our defense". Following the sinking of the U.S. destroyer Reuben James on October 31, many of the provisions of the Neutrality Acts were repealed on November 17, 1941: merchant vessels were allowed to be armed and to carry any cargoes to belligerent nations . The U.S. formally declared war on Japan on 8 December 1941 following the attack on Pearl Harbor of the previous day; Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. on 11 December 1941, and the U.S. responded with a declaration of war on the same day . </P> <P> The provision against unlicensed arms trades of the 1939 act remains in force . </P>

How did the united states go from neutrality in the 1930s to war in 1941
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