Rahvin
The decision makers (not necessarily commanders) at Pearl Harbor, Hickem, and other Hawaiian bases were obviously not expecting an attack, even though one could argue that they should have been.
Personnel were not placed on "Alert". Personnel had not been recently been drilled to react for an attack. Few ships could load their machine guns in defense or attempt to get underway. Airplanes were caught on the ground lined up in a row -- easy prey. Notice that apparently no aircraft got in the air to defend the islands? It was probably coincidence that the aircraft carriers were not in port.
Also the U.S. battleships that were sunk at Pearl Harbor were old and were no match for the newer battleships that Britain, Germany, and Japan had. The U.S had only 2 modern (Washington class?) Battleships before early 1943.
I agree that the battleships were raised and reused, not because the damage was severe (it was) but it could have been worse if the ships hadn?t been left in a state of complete unreadiness (few water-tight compartments were closed) and they were sunk easily. The bombers could have inflicted more damage if the ships were not already on the bottom. Since they were in shallow water and the U.S. was rather desperate, the ships were salvaged for reuse.
Rahvin is basically correct. It was a war about resources. However, I don?t believe the U.S. infrastructure reacted very quickly. It really took quite awhile for the U.S. to produce any significant war fighting capability. Like 12 to 18 months.
Tominator
I don?t think Steel was nearly as significant as Oil to the Japanese. Steel could be stockpiled and recycled much easier than oil.
?Also, the Japanese attacked the Aleutian islands just before Pearl as a diversion?
What?s this? I seem to remember a diversion at about the time of Midway.
The Japanese would have logistically stretched to the limit if they attached the U.S. mainland. I can?t see that being successful even if defended by unorganized local forces. Attrition would determine the winner.
Trinitron, has the history accurate and I like his Quote which was the absolute truth.
"I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant, and filled him with a horrible resolve". Japanese Naval Admiral Yamamoto, speaking about the Americans after the Attack on Pearl Harbor.