Key Points About Pearl Harbor and Australia's Response

What Happened at Pearl Harbor?

• Date: 7 December 1941
• Who: Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, which is a naval base in Hawaii, where the United States kept its navy.
• Why: Japan wanted to stop the US Navy from getting in the way of its plans to take more land in Asia.

The Surprise Attack

• In a short time, Japan did a lot of damage:
  • 21 American ships were sunk or damaged.
  • 188 airplanes were destroyed, and 159 were hurt.
  • About 2,400 American soldiers died, and over 1,000 people were hurt, including some that weren’t soldiers.
• Luckily, the three aircraft carriers of the US were not at Pearl Harbor at that time.

The American Reaction

• Before the attack, people in America were mixed about joining the war.
• The attack shocked everyone and made them want to support the military.
• On 8 December 1941, the US declared war on Japan.
• Just a few days later, on 11 December, Hitler declared war on the US, bringing America into the war in Europe too.

Australia's Response

• From 1940, Australia had sent troops to Malaya to respond to Japan’s plans.
• On 9 December 1941, Australia declared war on Japan after Japan's attack on Britain.
• Japan was getting closer to attacking Australia, and the British Navy was having trouble protecting it.
• Most Australian troops were fighting overseas.
• Australia only had a few air squadrons and reserve forces to defend itself.

Seeking Help

• Prime Minister John Curtin made an important decision:
  • He wanted help from the United States because he felt Australia was in danger.
  • He moved Australian troops from the Middle East back to help defend Australia against Japan.
• There was some tension between Curtin and British Prime Minister Churchill, as they discussed how to deal with the war.

Working Together

• Curtin wanted Australia and the US to work closely to make plans to fight against the enemy.
• He believed that Australia must be strong and ready to protect itself.

This is how the events of Pearl Harbor and Australia's response shaped the early part of World War II.