Question

the states vulnerability became evident shortly after pearl harbor. in early 1942 german submarines opened an offensive, code - named operation drumbeat, against the virtually undefended allied shipping lanes along the east coast. before the carnage was over, nearly 400 ships had been sunk, and thousands of lives lost. dozens of ships were torpedoed just off floridas atlantic coast, and others in the gulf of mexico. german submarine skippers used the light of coastal cities to silhouette their targets. oil, debris, and dead bodies washed up on the beaches, mixing with the driftwood and seashells along floridas atlantic coast. what is the main idea of this passage? pearl harbor was one of the worst attacks on american soil in history. germany used submarines to sink ships that sailed from americas east coast. the united states had one of the strongest shipping fleets in the world in the 1940s. the united states used operation drumbeat to defeat german submarines.

Explanation:

The passage details German submarine attacks on Allied shipping lanes along the US East Coast in early 1942, after the start of Operation Drumbeat, highlighting the vulnerability of the region. It also mentions the impact on ships and the appearance of debris on Florida beaches.

Answer:

Germany used submarines to sink ships that sailed from America's East Coast.