The Illusion of Neutrality Author:Robert A. Divine As world peace began to deteriorate rapidly in the 1930's, the United States attempted to escape the realities of the outside world behind a wall of neutrality legislation. In this searching book, Prof. Divine focuses on the struggle between isolationists and internationalists over the arms embargo issue. He shows that genuine neutrality was a... more »n illusion, and he accuses President Roosevelt of failing to take a strong enough stand, refusing to risk his prestige to rally public opinion against isolationist. The American people, the author days, "backed a policy whereby they could render aid to the Allies without directly committing themselves to intervention in the war. Cash-and-carry neutrality was a illogical policy, yet it was exactly what the nation wanted."« less