Answer 1
Students should recognize that although overstated, the assertion under examination contains a good deal of truth. Prior to D-Day, the United States had not engaged the bulk of the German Army. The invasion of North Africa took away vital resources. The invasion of Italy did tie up some German troops. But for three years, the Soviet Union alone faced and largely defeated the German Army. Strong papers will discuss the decision to send supplies to the Soviets via lend-lease.
Answer 2
By December 7, 1941, the United States was supplying the British and patrolling the North Atlantic. It had already engaged the Germans on the high seas and had lost several ships, most notably the Reuben James. It had set up bases on Greenland, which belonged to Denmark, which in turn had been conquered by Germany. Perhaps most important, the United States had agreed to the terms for fighting the war. The Atlantic Charter defined the war's Wilsonian ends.