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 wanted to protect the cotton production in North Africa.

The Axis powers wanted to gain control of oil fields in Iraq.

The Allies needed to maintain shipping lanes through Egypt.

The Axis powers wanted to gain control of oil fields in Iraq is the most accurate response. North Africa was a key location for the British to defend because it was home to important oil fields in Iraq. Control of these oil fields was crucial for both the Axis powers and the Allies during World War II, as oil was a vital resource for their war efforts. By defending North Africa, the British were able to protect and maintain control over these oil fields, preventing the Axis powers from gaining access to this valuable resource.

the correct answer

The correct answer is: The Allies needed to maintain shipping lanes through Egypt.

North Africa, specifically Egypt, was a key location for the British to defend because it provided a crucial route for shipping and trade. Egypt's location on the Mediterranean Sea made it an important hub for maritime transportation between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Controlling the Suez Canal, which runs through Egypt, allowed for easy access and passage between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

By defending North Africa, especially Egypt, the British ensured the protection of these shipping lanes, which were vital for supplying troops and resources to various theaters of war. Additionally, the British wanted to prevent the Axis powers from gaining control of the Suez Canal, which would have been a severe blow to the Allies' logistics and strategic capabilities.