The Road To Pearl Harbor, 1919-1941

Episode 5: War Comes to Pearl Harbor

January 15, 2002

After Japan's invasion of the Dutch Indies, Roosevelt cut off the American oil supply and imposed a total embargo. On November 5, 1941, General Tojo sent 2 peace options to the United States with the ultimatum that if neither alternative was accepted Japan would declare war. The United States rejected both proposals. One morning later, on December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.