16 Questions
What was the purpose of Yamamoto sending spies to Pearl Harbor?
To gather information about their target and plan a surprise attack
What did Yamamoto use to prepare for the strike in a shallow harbor in Japan?
Drills
How many warships left Japan on November 26?
More than 30 warships
Where is the U.S. naval base Pearl Harbor located?
On the island of Oahu, Hawaii
What was the distance from Pearl Harbor where the Japanese fleet dropped anchor?
274 miles (440 km)
What was the American response when they saw the planes approaching on December 7, 1941?
They thought it was just a training drill
What was Hawaii's status during World War II?
A U.S. territory
What happened to the U.S. warships at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941?
A dozen U.S. warships were destroyed
What happened to the USS Arizona after it was hit by a heavy bomb?
It burst into a giant ball of flames and sank less than ten minutes after it was hit
What happened to the USS Oklahoma after it was hit by torpedoes?
It capsized, or tipped over, just 12 minutes after it was hit
What was the global economic situation during the Great Depression?
The economy was very poor
Why did Japan's economy rely on trading goods with other countries?
Because it was an island nation with few natural resources
How many officers and crewmen were killed on the USS Arizona?
Nearly 1,200 officers and crewmen
What did the U.S. government do to Japan's trade in 1930?
Raised the taxes on goods shipped into the United States
What did Japan's emperor, Hirohito, decide to do to grow Japan's empire?
Grow Japan's empire by invading nearby countries
What was the goal of Admiral Yamamoto's air raid on Pearl Harbor?
To take the Pacific fleet out of action for at least six months
Study Notes
Pearl Harbor Attack
- Pearl Harbor is a U.S. naval base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, located between California and Japan.
- Hawaii was a U.S. territory during World War II, and the base was used for storing, repairing, and supplying warships.
Tension between the United States and Japan
- Tension between the U.S. and Japan built up over many years, starting with the Great Depression, which hit Japan hard due to its reliance on international trade.
- The U.S. government raised taxes on imported goods in 1930, making it difficult for Japan to afford necessary resources.
- Japan's emperor, Hirohito, decided to expand Japan's empire and invaded nearby countries to secure resources.
- Japan conquered Manchuria in China in 1931 and other Southeast Asian countries in 1941.
Preparation for the Attack
- Japanese Admiral Yamamoto began planning an air raid on Pearl Harbor in early 1941 to destroy the U.S. fleet for at least six months.
- Yamamoto prepared his men by gathering information about Pearl Harbor, building models of the harbor and American warships, and conducting drills in a shallow harbor in Japan.
The Surprise Attack
- A fleet of Japanese warships, including six aircraft carriers, left Japan on November 26, 1941, and arrived 274 miles from Pearl Harbor on December 7.
- At 7:55 a.m. on December 7, Japanese planes, marked with the Rising Sun, approached Pearl Harbor, surprising American crews.
- The Japanese attack killed over 2,400 people and destroyed a dozen U.S. warships.
Damage and Aftermath
- The USS Arizona was hit by a bomb, causing a massive explosion that killed nearly 1,200 officers and crewmen.
- The USS Oklahoma was hit by torpedoes, capsized, and trapped many men inside, resulting in significant casualties.
Learn about the surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, during World War II. Discover the devastating consequences of the attack and its impact on global politics.
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