<P> 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 1 November 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 . </P>
<P> 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 1 November 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 . </P>
which three countries were known as the axis powers during world war ii
which three countries were known as the axis powers during world war ii
Germany Italy Japan
Germany Italy Japan