“if a nation is attacked the only recourse is to attack back” agree or disagree and why?

Not by any means,  since many things might be and have to be weighted before such an important decision that interferes with so many lives.

It is dependent on the force of the assault just as the intensity of the assaulting country.  

Also, it is important to remember that quite a few nations have been assaulted and actually never battled back. In fact, surrendering has been proven an option that might actually save more lives in many situations. Specially if you consider that the country that is assaulting might be the more dominant when it comes to be about fire power.

There is also the option of trying to punish an specific responsible by it or using of sanctions when it's the case of no human casualties and so on.

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. 

(d). gave voting rights to free african americans and white women.