1. The problem asks to select the best evidence supporting the statement that before the U.S. entered World War II, many Americans believed the U.S. should avoid international conflict. 2. The passage states: "Many people and politicians were 'isolationists' who saw no reason why their country should fight Germany or Japan." 3. This sentence directly supports the statement because "isolationists" refers to those who wanted to avoid involvement in international conflicts. 4. Therefore, the best evidence is the mention of "isolationists" who opposed entering the war before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Final answer: The phrase "Many people and politicians were 'isolationists' who saw no reason why their country should fight Germany or Japan."