The U.S., Europe, and World War II FRQ
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1) What were the short- and long-term consequences of the Allied decision in 1942 to engage in an African campaign against Germany (707)? Consequence
2) How was the defeat of Nazi Germany organized and orchestrated? What critical reasons can be advanced to account for the Allied victory in Europe (723 - 724)? Significance
3) What were the reasons, strategic and otherwise, for a lack of action by the Allies toward the Holocaust in Europe during World War II? Were these reasons justified by the need to win the war? What do you think the Allies could have done? (708 – 709) Perspectives
4) What strategic concerns and desires divided the Americans, the British, and the Soviets during World War II? Perspectives
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1) _____ Write Question (3 pts)
a) _____ name (3 pts)
b) _____ date (3 pts)
c) _____ grammar (3 pts)
d) _____ 10000 words (3 pts)
2) _____Thesis – 1st paragraph (3 pts)
a) _____Supporting Argument #1 (3 pts)
b) _____Supporting Argument #2 (3 pts)
3) _____Supporting Argument #1 – 2nd paragraph (3 pts)
a) _____ Describe/Explain Historical Thinking Skill. (3 pts)
b) _____ Elaborate about the time period and/or argument. (3 pts)
c) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
d) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
e) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
f) _____Historical Accuracy (are your historical facts correct) (3 pts)
g) _____The Argument answers the question (3 pts)
4) _____Supporting Argument #2 – 3rd paragraph (3 pts)
a) _____ Describe/Explain Historical Thinking Skill. (3 pts)
b) _____ Elaborate about the time period and/or argument. (3 pts)
c) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
d) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
e) _____Names OR Events OR Vocabulary AND why they are important. (3 pts)
f) _____Historical Accuracy (are your historical facts correct) (3 pts)
g) _____The Argument answers the question (3 pts)
5) _____Contextualization (Summarize the time period) – 4th paragraph (3 pts)
a) _____ What was occurring? (3 pts)
b) _____ Where were the events occurring at? (3 pts)
c) _____ Why were these events occurring? (3 pts)
d) _____ How were these events occurring? (3 pts)
e) _____ Who was involved and in what ways? (3 pts)
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Date of writing: 1/16/2026
Time limit: 45 minutes
Preparation time: 4 days
Chosen prompt: What were the reasons, strategic and otherwise, for a lack of action by the Allies toward the Holocaust in Europe during World War II? Were these reasons justified by the need to win the war? What do you think the Allies could have done? (708 – 709) Perspectives
Word count: 828
Grade: 100%
During World War II, the Allies were widely aware of the atrocities being committed by Nazi Germany across Europe; however, due to alternative focuses predicated on military and government perspective, no direct action was taken immediately. This inaction could be attributed to United State's perspective on total military priority---the idea that pushing military agendas and winning the war would ultimately end the mass genocide being carried out, shifting attention toward war efforts. Though, this skewed view could've been improved in numerous ways, such as stripping immigration restrictions, disseminating more accepting sentiments, and focusing actions on the Holocaust earlier on.
One major contributing factor toward the Allies inactivity could be attributed to military prioritizations. The concentration of focus toward war efforts must be understood in the light of the United States---the top priority was winning the war, especially after the Japanese's attack on Pearl Harbor, which ultimately shifted the general public eye away from isolationism and toward war involvement. From the Allies' point of view, defeating Germany in the war would end the Holocaust---a belief that guided military efforts. This idea is best represented by Operation Torch in 1942, the first major offensive of the Allies, involving the entry into North Africa with broader strategic advantages. Operation Torch exemplifies the committment and focus on winning the war rather than addressing the injustices being committed across Europe during the time. Additionally, Operation Husky in 1943 expands upon this statement, as it was the Allied invasion of Sicily in order to impose upon Axis territory and---in the broader perspective of military strategy---was to impede upon German boarders. Such a move by the Allies not only overtly illuminated where the majority of military attention was going, but the narrow focus on pushing Germany back within its boarders directly redirected resources toward the war effort. Operation Avalanche in 1943 represented no different, except the actual event was the Allies' landing in mainland Italy---more specifically, Salerno. This offensive was a pivotal watershed in terms of United State's focus, diverting not only resources, but national attention toward the major offensive.
While the successful Allied victory was a corollary of their strategical operations, it doesn't detract from the fact that the mass the Jewish persectuation ocurring should have been addressed sooner. By setting the context of the Holocaust within the Allied perspective of total military priority, it is understandable that between the United States and Great Britain, the indifferent, convoluted political climate complicated sentiments on Jewish refugees and immigration policies. From the perspective of the more general United State's population, many people held both antisematic and anti-immigrant prejudices as a result of both systemic, deeply rooted culture and because of the war. Such deep roots are visible in the Emergency Quota Act of 1921, a government action that established limited immigration rates for both European and Asian immigrations. While the act was founded long before the war, its effects were still in place up until then---or rather replaced by more restrictive policies---and should've been replaced by looser, more accepting actions that would allow Jewish asilum. In addition to the Emergency Quota Act, in 1939, the United States denied entry to the ship of St. Louis at Cuba---a vessel varrying approximately 900 Jewish refugees---which was later sent back to Europe where the majority of passengers perished in the Holocaust. This singular action reflects the United State's apparent indifference, subtle antisemitism, and visible disregard---sentiments that should've been replaced by feelings of empathy and urgency. Furthermore, the founding of the War Refugee Board occurred in 1944 with the primary goal of facilitating rescue and stopping the humanitarian crises. The United States should have---or rather could have---taken earlier, more urgent and impactful actions to aid in genocide prevention, such as founding the War Refugee Board earlier and spreading awarenes of the humanitarian crises occuring across Europe.
Throughout the course of World War II, major military actions, such as Operation Torch, Operation Husky, and Operation Avalanche, took place, aiming to win the war by strategically pushing Germany back within its borders. The stated events occurred across Europe, with the political atmospheres that dictated military operations existing between the Allies, such as the United States and Britain. The major Allied offensives took place as a result of political indifference, hazy immigration and Jewish sentiments, and the prioritization of winning the war. Such ideas spread throughout the United States and ultimately the broader global audience, allowing the extended conduction of the Holocaust, which unfolded in the form of mass genocide. Notable people included in the dissemination of such beliefs include Dwight Eisenhower and George Patton, both of which protruded the scene of World War II as major actors on the world stage of the Allied powers.
