Following the attacks on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered the Pacific War. Although the United States Navy was initially disabled from the attacks and unable to play a significant role until they had rebuilt their fleet, they brought much needed support for the Allied Forces in the Pacific theater. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces gained control of the Philippines, Malaya, the Dutch East Indies, and Burma (United States (History)). The Allies tried to halt the Japanese advance, but their scattered resistance was constantly overpowered. However, with a newly established Pacific War Council in the spring of 1942, the tides began to turn in the Allies’ favor (Pacific War).

The turning point came during the Battle of Midway in June 1942, where the Japanese suffered a crushing defeat and lost the momentum that had driven them since the start of the war . Then began a lengthy series of counteroffensives in which the Allies were able to regain the Japanese-occupied Pacific Islands (Kamikaze).

SOURCES:

"Kamikaze." Kamikaze - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 04 July 2005. Wikipedia. 09 Jul. 2005 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamikaze>

"Pacific War." Pacific War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 07 July 2005. Wikipedia. 09 Jul. 2005 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_War>.

“ United States (History)”, Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2005 http://encarata.msn.com ©1997 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.