Which event boosted American morale and shocked Japanese leaders during World War II?

The Doolittle Raid, which took place in April 1942, significantly boosted American morale and caught Japanese leaders by surprise. This mission involved launching bombers from an aircraft carrier to carry out a bombing raid on Tokyo and other strategic locations in Japan. Although the physical damage caused by the raids was relatively modest, the symbolic impact was profound. For the United States, it demonstrated that Japan was not invulnerable and that American forces could strike back after the devastating Pearl Harbor attack just a few months earlier. The operation was a morale booster for the American public and military, showcasing resilience and the ability to retaliate effectively.

Moreover, the raid led to a strategic reassessment by Japanese military leaders, as it highlighted vulnerabilities in their homeland’s defense and forced them to rethink their military strategies, contributing to a shift in the momentum of the war. This event illustrated the determination and capability of the U.S. military, contrasting sharply with the feeling of vulnerability that followed Pearl Harbor, and set the stage for subsequent American engagements in the Pacific theater.