Final answer:
The cash and carry policy was an amendment to the Neutrality Act of 1935 allowing war-torn nations to buy goods from the US if they paid in cash and transported the goods themselves. This aided in maintaining US neutrality while favoring the Allies, leading to debate on whether it truly kept the US neutral or moved it closer to war.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cash and carry policy was a provision that amended the Neutrality Act of 1935 during the prelude to World War II. Under this policy, the United States allowed countries at war to purchase goods and arms as long as two conditions were met.
First, these nations had to pay immediately in cash (cash), and second, they had to arrange for the transportation of these materials on their own ships (carry). This was seen as supportive of the US's neutral stance because it avoided the risk of US ships being targeted by German U-boats, and it did not involve the US in the debts of other nations.
However, the policy was also seen as favoring the British and French allies because German ships could not reach the US without going through allied-controlled waters. The debate over this policy was contentious, with some arguing that it upheld American neutrality and others that it was a step towards involvement in the war.