16. What strategy did the United States use to gain ground in the Pacific theater? A. Massed invasions B. Island hopping C. Lightning war D. Atomic bombing

Step 1: Break Down the Problem

To determine the strategy the United States utilized in the Pacific theater during World War II, we need to analyze the provided options and identify their definitions and historical contexts.

Step 2: Relevant Concepts

1. Massed invasions: Involves large-scale landings in enemy territory, typically associated with traditional warfare.
2. Island hopping: A military strategy that entails capturing specific islands and using them as bases to advance closer to the enemy, avoiding well-defended islands.
3. Lightning war (Blitzkrieg): A fast and sudden military attack usually associated with German tactics in Europe, not typically used by the U.S. in the Pacific.
4. Atomic bombing: Refers to the use of nuclear weapons, which was a strategy employed towards the end of the war against Japan, but not the primary means of gaining ground.

Step 3: Analysis and Detail

The strategy that most accurately describes the approach of the United States in the Pacific theater is "Island hopping." This strategy allowed U.S. forces to bypass heavily fortified Japanese islands, focusing instead on strategically important islands that could be captured quickly and used to launch further attacks.

Step 4: Verify and Summarize

Island hopping enabled the U.S. to conserve resources while making significant strides toward Japan. By capturing key locations, such as Guadalcanal and the Mariana Islands, they established forward bases for air operations and logistics, which were crucial for their eventual success in the Pacific.

Final Answer

B. Island hopping