tion to provoke war, Japan began to attack American naval vessels in Chinese territory. At the time, the majority of Americans wanted to see the U.S. withdraw from China and not engage the Japanese in battle (Snyder 33). Roosevelt was convinced the attacks would not abate and ordered that the American vessels in Chinese waters be armed, including merchant vessels. However, such a move did nothing to stop the Japanese from sinking the ships and is likely to have actually served to provoke an increase in the attacks. In September 1940, the Japanese entered Indochina after concluding a long period of negotiation with the Vichy government. The Japanese aim was to prevent aid reaching the Chinese through Indochina. Approximately 6,000 troops were stationed in the country and given full rights of transit.
             Roosevelt's next move was to cease all trade with Japan and to begin a program of lend-lease aid with China. Roosevelt's embargo was a devastating blow, for Japan bought more than half its imports from the U.S. Ironically, Japan both wan
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