Final answer:
The Allied strategy of island hopping was employed to bypass heavily fortified Japanese islands, conserve resources, and strategically close in on Japan by establishing military bases and cutting off supply lines to isolated Japanese positions, which was a more efficient alternative to direct assaults across the vast Pacific.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Allied strategy of island hopping during World War II served primarily to bypass heavily defended islands, allowing the Allies to advance towards Japan more efficiently. This strategy involved taking over strategically important islands and establishing military bases on these locations to disrupt or destroy Japanese communications and transportation routes. The captured islands also served as launch points for further advances and provided bases from which air strength could be increased close enough to mainland Japan to achieve air superiority and set the stage for its eventual capitulation. Not directly engaging the thousands of Japanese troops stationed on bypassed islands saved countless Allied lives and resources.