Final answer:
The 1939 cash-and-carry amendment to the Neutrality Acts favored Britain by allowing them to purchase weapons and supplies from the United States with cash, while using their own ships for transportation, thus circumventing German obstacles and British water control areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1939 cash-and-carry amendment to the Neutrality Acts favored Britain over Germany by allowing Britain to purchase weapons and supplies from the United States with cash. Under this amendment, nations at war could buy arms from the U.S. as long as they paid immediately in cash (cash) and used their own ships to transport these materials (carry). This policy inherently favored Britain as German ships could not traverse the Atlantic without encountering areas controlled by the British and French navies. Furthermore, by requiring the goods to be transported on non-U.S. vessels, it minimized the risk to American shipping and involvement in the war.
Despite appearing neutral, the "cash-and-carry" policy indirectly aided the Allies more than the Axis powers. It did not impose a trade embargo on Germany or provide Britain with free resources, but it did open a pathway for the U.S. to support the opponents of Nazi Germany to some extent. The amendment was crucial as it came at a time when Britain's resistance against Nazi aggression was taking a financial toll, making it challenging for them to continue purchasing war materials under the strict cash-and-carry provisions.