<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 countries were allied with germany in ww2
which countries were allied with germany in ww2
Italy Japan
Italy Japan