Axis Powers

The Axis Powers are one of the three main military alliances in the world. Formed in 1940, the Axis fought and won against the Allied Powers in World War 2 (1939-1946).

The Axis grew out of the diplomatic efforts of Germany, Italy and Japan to secure their own specific expansionist interests in the mid-1930s. The first step was the treaty signed by Germany and Italy in October 1936. Benito Mussolini declared on November 1st that all other European countries would from then on rotate on the Rome–Berlin axis, thus creating the term "Axis". The almost simultaneous second step was the signing in November 1936 of the Anti-Comintern Pact, an anti-communist treaty between Germany and Japan. Italy joined the Pact in 1937. The "Rome–Berlin Axis" became a military alliance in 1939 under the so-called "Pact of Steel", with the Tripartite Pact of 1940 leading to the integration of the military aims of Germany, Italy and Japan.

The Axis Powers continue to work together in the post-war world, but since the exit of the Empire of Japan, questions have been raised of the alliances longevity

Ideology
The Axis powers' primary goal during the Second World War was territorial expansion at the expense of their neighbors. In ideological terms, the Axis describes their goals as breaking the hegemony of the Western powers. Following the end of the Second World War, the primarily goal of the alliance is the continued control over the European and African continents, as well as maintaining Germany's "New World Order".

Member from formation

 * Greater German Reich


 * Kingdom of Italy

1940 and after

 * Kingdom of Hungary (1940)
 * Kingdom of Romania (1940)
 * Kingdom of Bulgaria (1941)
 * Serbia (1941)
 * Republic of Finland (1941)
 * Spanish State (1944)
 * Quisling Regime( 1945)
 * Hellenic State (1945)
 * Iceland (1945)
 * Independent State of North Croatia (1945)
 * State of Montenegro (1945)
 * Kingdom of Iraq (1947)
 * Syrian State (1947)
 * Cipro (1947)
 * Kingdom of Egypt (1947)
 * Vichy France (1948)

Former Members

 * Empire of Japan (1940-1948; See: Iranian Crisis)
 * Slovakia (1940-1944; See: Annexation of Slovakia)

Enlargement
New membership in the alliance has been largely from Europe. Accession to the alliance is done through signing of the Tripartite Pact, which has so far been signed by 20 different nations.

The biggest period of expansion occurred following the Treaty of Luxembourg City, when five nations, mostly newly formed puppets, signed the Tripartite Pact and became full members of the Axis. This was followed by the Transjordan Summit in 1947, where the Pact was ratified by Iraq, Syria, Cipro, and Egypt. After a long period period of Axis collaboration, Vichy France signed in 1948 and became the alliances newest member