The increased activity of the underground railroad in the 1850s suggest that

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after defeating german forces in north africa allied leaders turned their attention to "italy," since this was the location that made the most geographic sense before invading northern europe via france. 

the correct answer is batering

the romans were initially interested in expansion via sicily (which at that time was a cultural melting pot), part of which lay under carthaginian control. at the start of the first punic war (264-241 bc), carthage was the dominant power of the western mediterranean, with an extensive maritime empire