We place an oil embargo on Japan, a short time later they attack us and continue their island hopping through the south Pacific.

Where were they getting their oil during and immediately prior to the war? If they had continued their advances, what were their future hopes as far as oil fields and fuel?

Here you go.....

technically we were the ones island hopping - that was a term of art for our pacific war strategy. but i get what you mean.

nice link.

here is another classic from pre-war:



the fact that it doesnt even show japan is the joke.

bottom line, it is honestly shocking how stupid japanese leadership was in getting into the war the way they did. their war strategy was doomed from the start, despite some easy early gains. They had no hope whatsoever unless we simply lacked any spine at all.

They were getting the oil from the Dutch East Indies. In August 1941, the Dutch cancelled their treaty at the request of Roosevelt. That was the moment the war became inevitable. Japan had reserves, but that would not last long.