Military history
Part I: What actions did the United States take in response to the attack at Pearl Harbor? Look at where the military focused its efforts in preparing for a long and bloody conflict in response to the global threats.
Part II: What was the single biggest shortcoming in the U.S military that needed to be addressed? Technology, aviation, naval assets, ground force considerations, mobilization, etc.?
Sample Solution
Part I: U.S. Response to Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, completely transformed the United States' role in World War II. Here's how the U.S. reacted:
- Declaration of War:Â On December 8th, the U.S. declared war on Japan, officially entering the global conflict.
- Military Mobilization:Â A massive mobilization effort began. Industries were converted to wartime production, and millions of men and women were drafted into the military.
- Focus on the Pacific:Â The primary focus initially shifted to the Pacific theater. The goal was to defeat Japan and secure control of the Pacific Ocean. This involved island-hopping campaigns, large-scale naval battles, and eventually, the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
- Alliance with Britain and the Soviet Union:Â The U.S. formally joined the Allied forces, collaborating with Britain and the Soviet Union to defeat Germany and Italy in Europe.
Full Answer Section
Part II: Biggest Shortcoming of the U.S. Military While the U.S. had a strong military, Pearl Harbor exposed a key weakness:- Naval Preparedness:The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor highlighted the vulnerability of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The lack of adequate scouting and detection measures allowed Japan to inflict significant damage.
- Industrial Capacity:The U.S. possessed a massive industrial base that could be quickly converted to wartime production. This allowed for the rapid development and deployment of new weapons and equipment.
- Manpower:The U.S. had a vast pool of potential soldiers. The draft system allowed for the quick mobilization of a large fighting force.