South China Sea raid have been the most important result of the raid, as these losses contributed to closing a supply route which was vital to the Japanese war effort. Subsequent attacks by Allied aircraft and warships forced the Japanese to cease sending ships into the South China Sea after March 1945. During 1941 and the first months of 1942, Japan conquered or established de facto rule over almost the entire South China Sea region. Control of the sea was vital to the Japanese economy, as it was the conduit through which essential supplies of oil and other natural resources passed from occupied Malaya,
Declarations of war during World War I 1907 (or Hague II). For the diplomatic maneuvering behind these events, which led to hostilities between nations during World War I, see the article entitled Diplomatic history of World War I. Below is a table showing the "Outbreaks of Wars between Nations" which occurred during World War I. Indicated are the dates (during the immediate build-up to, or during the course of, World War I), from which a "de facto" state of war existed between nations. The table shows both the "Initiator Nation(s)" and the nation at which the aggression was aimed, or "Targeted Nation(s)". Events listed include those in