The Axis Powers were a military alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II. The alliance was formalized in September 1940, and the Axis Powers fought against the Allied Powers, consisting primarily of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China.
Germany, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, sought to expand its territory and influence in Europe. Hitler's aggressive policies and invasions of neighboring countries were a key factor in the outbreak of World War II. The German military, known as the Wehrmacht, played a significant role in the Axis war effort.
Italy, led by Benito Mussolini and the Fascist Party, joined the Axis Powers in the hope of expanding its colonial holdings and exerting influence in the Mediterranean region. Italian forces were involved in conflicts in North Africa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean theater of the war.
Japan, under Emperor Hirohito and the militaristic government, aimed to establish dominance in East Asia and the Pacific. The Japanese military, particularly the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy, carried out aggressive expansionist policies, leading to conflicts with China and ultimately drawing the United States into the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor.