The pact bound each country to defend the others against attack, and Germany, Japan, and Italy became known as the Axis powers.[265] Overcoming those who favored invading the Soviet Union, the Japanese Army high command successfully advocated for the conquest of Southeast Asia to ensure continued access to raw materials.[266] In July 1941, after Japan occupied the remainder of French Indochina, Roosevelt cut off the sale of oil to Japan, depriving Japan of more than 95 percent of its oil supply.[267] He also placed the Philippine military under American command and reinstated General Douglas MacArthur into active duty to command U.S. forces in the Philippines.[268]

Roosevelt signing declaration of war against Japan (left) on December 8 and against Germany (right) on December 11, 1941
The Japanese were incensed by the embargo and Japanese leaders became determined to attack the United States unless it lifted the embargo. The Roosevelt administration was unwilling to reverse the policy, and Secretary of State Hull blocked a potential summit between Roosevelt and Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe.[k] After diplomatic efforts to end the embargo failed, the Privy Council of Japan authorized a strike against the United States.