Attack on Pearl Harbor
The U.S. finally ceased oil exports to Japan in July 1941. This was done following the seizure of French Indochina after the Fall of France. It was also in part because of new American restrictions on domestic oil consumption. Because of this decision Japan decided to take the oil-rich Dutch East Indies. On August 17, Roosevelt warned Japan that America was preparing to stop Japan if needed. The Japanese were faced with a dilemma. They either either had to leave China or seize new sources of raw materials in the resource-rich European colonies of Southeast Asia.