Axis Powers
Originally founded on the concept of the Rome-Berlin axis (the Pact of Steel) and later on, the Tripartite Pact, the Axis was not primarily a formal alliance. Each of the major countries went to war on their own initiative (Nazi Germany in 1939, Italy in 1940, Japan in 1937 against China, and in 1941 against the United States and the British Commonwealth) and not necessarily to assist each other. There was little sharing of technology or resources and little in the way of cooperative strategic planning between the major Axis powers.
With the demise of Italy, Germany and Japan functioned as wholly separate powers, each conducting the war in their theatre (Germany in the European and Japan in the Pacific). There were a number of smaller powers on the side of the Axis, although, for the most part, the war effort was directed and powered by Germany and Japan.
Read more about this topic: Participants In World War II
Famous quotes related to axis powers:
“Our security depends on the Allied Powers winning against aggressors. The Axis Powers intend to destroy democracy, it is anathema to them. We cannot provide that aid if the public are against it; therefore, it is our responsibility to persuade the public that aid to the victims of aggression is aid to American security. I expect the members of my administration to take every opportunity to speak to this issue wherever they are invited to address public forums in the weeks ahead.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)