Question

The photograph below shows General Douglas MacArthur wading ashore on the island of Leyte in the Philippines:

Answer 1

Why was this event a significant step in the war in the Pacific?

It brought the U.S. military within air-strike range of mainland Japan.

It was the first time the United States had captured territory from Japan.

It showed that resistance to the U.S. advance on Japan was largely over.

It gave the United States access to natural resources needed for the war effort.

Answer 2

@wwhitlock

Answer 3

Occupying Leyte was strategically important for cutting off Japan's access to it's South East Asia conquests. Japan was also cut off from oil and other resources it needed. It was a turning point in the war. But it did not break Japan resistance. Iwo Jima and other bloody battles still lay ahead. It was the start of the island hopping campaign getting closer to the Japaneses homeland. Those island's were needed to launch an effective bombing campaign.
So of the four, the natural resources answer seems to be your best choice.

Answer 4

@wwhitlock , thank youuuuuu !