The term “Axis Powers” originates from Mussolini’s declaration that the world would “rotate around the Rome-Berlin axis.” Similarly to the developments in World War I, these three countries signed the Tripartite Pact in September 1940. According to this pact, the nations recognized each other’s spheres of influence and committed to mutual support if attacked.
The main goal of the pact was to prevent the United States from entering World War II. However, this plan ultimately failed. By 1945, the Allies had completely defeated the three Axis powers. In this article, Thefactsofwar will analyze the formation, roles, and ambitions of the Axis Powers during World War II.
The Initial Axis Powers
The first countries in the Axis Powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan. Later, Yugoslavia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, and Bulgaria joined the alliance. In 1936, Germany and Japan signed the Anti-Comintern Pact. A year later, Mussolini officially joined this alliance. Then, on September 27, 1940, representatives from Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan met in Berlin to sign the Tripartite Pact.
By this time, World War II had already been going on for a year, and the Axis Powers seemed to be on the verge of swift victory. Germany controlled most of Western Europe, Poland, and had isolated Britain. Italy had taken Albania, part of France, Ethiopia, and Libya. Meanwhile, Japan had extended its influence over Korea, Manchuria, much of China, and several islands in the Pacific.
Japan’s Strategy as an Axis Power
Although Japan had achieved some successes, by 1940, it felt particularly vulnerable, especially regarding raw materials like oil and steel. Japan relied almost entirely on imports of oil, with the U.S. and Britain being its main suppliers. American embargoes began to hinder Japan’s territorial expansion plans. The Imperial Japanese Navy felt the pressure as Japan’s oil reserves were only enough to last two years.
Japan realized that the oil resources in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) were vulnerable due to the Netherlands being occupied by Nazi Germany. With Britain in dire straits, the entire Southeast Asian region also became vulnerable. Upon joining the Axis Powers, the agreement prevented Germany from claiming sovereignty over the colonies in Asia, and Japan’s main goal was to prevent U.S. intervention.
The Axis Powers agreement gave Japan free control over Asia and the Pacific, considering it their “sphere of interest.” From then on, Japan adjusted its war plans, primarily targeting the United States. Ultimately, Japan realized that achieving this goal would require the conquest of the Philippines and the attack on Pearl Harbor.
To accomplish this, Japan understood that removing the Philippines as a U.S. military base would protect their trade routes. However, the royal government also knew that the United States was too powerful, so any war would need to end in a peace treaty.
Embargoes against Japan were imposed following its invasions of China in 1931 and 1937. Millions of people were killed during these wars, with notorious events like the Nanking Massacre, expulsions, and the use of chemical weapons. When France capitulated in June 1940, Japan quickly entered French Indochina, seizing ports and exploiting raw materials. This brought Japan closer to the East Indies and the resources it needed to expand its power.
Italy’s Ambitions in the Axis Powers Alliance
Italy, a fascist state since the 1920s, signed the Pact of Steel in 1939 with Nazi Germany, officially creating the “Rome-Berlin Axis.” Both countries were based on similar ideologies—far-right and authoritarian. However, Mussolini was aware that Italy was not ready for war. Of the three major Axis Powers, Italy’s industrial and military base was the weakest, but Mussolini was determined to make Italy a great power.
Additionally, Mussolini used nationalism to address domestic issues and promote visions of glorious future wars to unite the people and strengthen the party’s control. Italy now had Germany and its war machine as allies. With their support, any war against Britain became easier as the vast British empire required enormous resources to maintain.
Mussolini particularly viewed the Mediterranean as a “Roman lake,” with ambitions to recreate the Roman Empire. He hoped that wars and conquests would bring essential resources like oil and rubber, which were in short supply. Italy declared war in June 1940 and invaded Egypt on September 13 of the same year. Two weeks later, Mussolini signed the Tripartite Pact, formalizing the “Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis.”
Germany’s Role in the Axis Powers Alliance
Nazi Germany was considered the dominant power in the Axis Powers alliance. The Nazis came to power in 1933 with the goal of restoring Germany’s pre-war glory. Political opponents such as communists and Jews were eliminated, and by 1936, Germany had completely disregarded the terms of the Treaty of Versailles (1919).
In the years that followed, Germany rearmed and showcased its political and military strength by annexing Austria, reoccupying the Rhineland, and taking Sudetenland. When Germany, Japan, and Italy officially formed the Axis Powers on September 27, 1940, their main goal was to ensure mutual security: if one country was attacked, the others would provide support. Hitler wanted allied governments with similar goals and ideologies, so Romania, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Croatia joined the alliance, fearing Russia.
The Axis Powers, especially Germany, entered World War II with the ambition of creating a world based on their authoritarian ideals. Nazi Germany quickly defeated Poland and France, isolating Britain by 1940.
Germany’s early victories were attributed to the Blitzkrieg, or “lightning war” strategy. This was a revolutionary military concept using mobility, surprise, and air support to win. Tanks played a central role in Blitzkrieg, providing breakthrough power. Nazi Germany also planned to occupy Eastern Europe, defeat the Soviet Union, and create Lebensraum, or “living space,” exclusively for Germans.
Like its Axis partners, Germany also lacked important resources like oil, iron ore, and food—resources that were abundant in Eastern Europe, which they targeted for exploitation.
Conclusion
Although the Axis Powers achieved significant victories in the early years of the conflict, they were all defeated by 1945. Fascist Italy was the first to collapse. In 1943, after the Allies landed in Sicily, Mussolini was deposed and imprisoned. Under new leadership, Italy switched sides.
After the devastating defeat at the Battle of Stalingrad in 1943, Nazi Germany could not prevent the Allied advance and was forced to surrender unconditionally in May 1945. Japan also suffered defeat and surrendered in August 1945 after two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Translated by: Minh Tuan
Source: thecollector.com – Who Were the World War II Axis Powers?
