What strategy did the Allies agree upon in order to win World War II?
A. move in on Germany from all sides, then attack Japan by going through the Soviet Union
B. defeat Germany and Italy first, then combine their forces against Japan
C. defeat Germany’s navy before going after it on land
D. defeat Japan first, then combine forces against Germany and Italy
To determine the strategy that the Allies agreed upon in order to win World War II, we can analyze the historical context and events of that time.
One strategy that the Allies agreed upon was option B: defeat Germany and Italy first, then combine their forces against Japan.
The Allies, which mainly consisted of the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom, recognized the need to prioritize their efforts and resources. Germany, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, posed a significant threat and had conquered a large part of Europe. Italy, led by Benito Mussolini, was also aligned with Germany. Therefore, the Allies made it their primary objective to defeat Germany and Italy before turning their attention to Japan.
This strategy was known as the "Europe First" strategy. It aimed to systematically weaken and defeat the Axis powers in Europe, starting with Germany and Italy, in order to secure the western front. Once Germany was defeated, the Allies could consolidate their forces and resources to shift their focus towards Japan.
In contrast, option A (move in on Germany from all sides, then attack Japan by going through the Soviet Union) does not accurately reflect the agreed-upon strategy. While the Soviet Union did play a crucial role in defeating Germany, it was not through attacking Germany from all sides, but rather through a massive offensive on the eastern front.
Option C (defeat Germany’s navy before going after it on land) does not accurately reflect the strategies implemented during World War II. While naval warfare played a crucial role in the war, especially in the Pacific against Japan, defeating Germany's navy was not the Allies' main objective. The focus was primarily on defeating Germany's land forces.
Lastly, option D (defeat Japan first, then combine forces against Germany and Italy) does not align with the Allies' agreed-upon strategy. While the Pacific theater, where Japan was dominant, was important, the Allies recognized the urgency of defeating Germany and Italy in Europe first due to the immediate threat they posed.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B: defeat Germany and Italy first, then combine their forces against Japan.