Final answer:
The historical world event that most closely connected with the themes of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is the first use of atomic bombs in warfare, which reflects the novel's themes such as the inherent evil within humanity, the loss of innocence, and breakdown of society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The historical world event that connects most closely with the themes of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies is D. the first use of atomic bombs in warfare. Lord of the Flies, published in 1954, is heavily influenced by the events of World War II, and the use of atomic weapons specifically. The themes of the novel, including the inherent evil within humanity, the loss of innocence, and the breakdown of society, reflect concerns and fears that were prominent post-World War II, especially in light of the destructive power of atomic bombs as witnessed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The novel often reflects on the darkness of human nature and explores what happens when civilization falls apart and individuals revert to savagery. The introduction and use of atomic bombs at the end of World War II profoundly demonstrated the potential for human-created destruction and, therefore, resonates deeply with the novel's exploration of the thin veneer of civilization and the potential for humans to commit atrocities.