How did the neutrality act, first passed in 1935, challenge president roosevelt's leadership in international affairs? european nations wanted the u. s. to remain neutral in case of war, but roosevelt wanted to intervene congress wanted to remain neutral to the aggression of germany, italy, and japan, but roosevelt wanted to support nations friendly to the u. s. roosevelt wanted to remain neutral in international affairs, but congress wanted to take action against aggressive dictators european nations wanted the u. s. to intervene if war broke out, but roosevelt wanted to remain neutral