Question

The fundamental strategic decision of World War II made by President Roosevelt and the British at the very beginning of the war was to a. plan for a second front in Western Europe as soon as possible. b. force Italy out of the war first by attacking the soft underbelly of Europe. c. arouse the American people to an idealistic crusade of the same sort that Woodrow Wilson had so effectively used in World War I. d. concentrate first on the war in Europe and to place the Pacific war against Japan on the back burner. e. fight an equally vigorous naval war against Japan and a land war against Germany and Italy.

Answer 1

Answer: d. concentrate first on the war in Europe and to place the Pacific war against Japan on the back burner.

Explanation:

Neither the British nor Roosevelt saw Japan as a serious long term threat. Because of this, they decided that it would make more sense to first defeat Hitler and Germany who they considered far superior opponents than the Japanese then bring their might down on the Japanese who they felt would not be as hard to defeat.

In order not to be totally absent from the Pacific Theatre against Japan though, they still fought a 'holding' action against Japan by using fewer resources.