Analyze why North Africa was a key location for the British to defend.(1 point) Responses The Allies needed to protect the Cape of Good Hope from invasion. The Allies needed to protect the Cape of Good Hope from invasion. The Allies wanted to protect the cotton production in North Africa. The Allies wanted to protect the cotton production in North Africa. The Allies needed to maintain shipping lanes through Egypt. The Allies needed to maintain shipping lanes through Egypt. The Axis powers wanted to gain control of oil fields in Iraq.

The Allies needed to maintain access to the Suez Canal, an important shipping route between Europe and Asia. The North African region, particularly Egypt, was strategically positioned to defend the canal, which was vital for British trade and military operations.