Research

The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor took place on Oahu Island, Hawaii on December 7, 1941.Pearl Harbor was one of the most dramatic turning points in United States history. It helped the country from an isolationist continent into the spotlight on the world stage. World War II changed the way the world viewed the United States and how Americans viewed themselves. As a result of Pearl Harbor and the war the United States accepted the predominant world leadership role. The tragedy of Pearl Harbor shocked and united the American people greater than any other event before. As Americans awoke on a Sunday morning in Hawaii, little did they know that within a few short minutes their lives would be changed forever. The Japanese aircraft attacked by surprise. The Japanese bombed almost the entire the Pacific Fleet. During this attack exactly ten major command ships were

destroyed. There were eight battleships, nine cruisers, 29 destroyers, and five submarines. Of the 19 vessels sunk or severely damaged by Japanese bombs and torpedoes, the 26-year-old battleship Arizona was the only one totally and permanently lost. More

than 200 aircraft destroyed or damaged Approximately 2,400 Americans were killed, 1,300 wounded, and 1,000 missing. Japanese losses were fewer than 100 casualties, 29 planes, and five midget submarines. There were many key military needs that were missing from Pearl Harbor and they were lack of training facilities, lack of large-scale ammunition and fuel supplies, lack of support craft such as tugs and repair ships, and a lack of overhaul facilities such as dry-docking and machine shops. Italy and Germany decided to become allies in 1939. They called themselves the Axis Powers. Japan joined the Axis Powers in 1940.