= Axis = The '''Axis''' was the coordinated military forces of the [[Germany/Democratization#Third_Reich|Germany]], [[Italy/Monarchs#Kingdom_of_Italy|Italy]], and the [[Japan/Monarchs#Empire_of_Japan|Japan]] during [[WorldHistory/WorldWar2|World War 2]]. <> ---- == History == The '''Axis''' alliance was initially negotiated in 1936 around the '''Anti-Comintern Pact''', of which the original signatories were [[Germany/AdolfHitler|Germany]] and [[Japan/KoukiHirota|Japan]]. [[Italy/BenitoMussolini|Italy]] joined in 1937 on condition that it was recognized as an original signatory. [[Hungary/MiklosHorthy|Hungary]] and [[Spain/FranciscoFranco|Spain]] joined in 1939. The '''Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact''' significantly shifted the balance of power. As a geopolitical rival of the [[Russia/JosephStalin|USSR]], Japan had joined the Axis in part to seize Russian territories. The unilateral directive to maintain peace soured relations between Japan and Germany. ([[WorldHistory/WorldWar2#Russia|Operation Barbarossa]] of course invalidated this pact.) The '''Tripartite Pact''' became the new foundational treaty in 1940. Germany, Italy, and Japan were the original signatories. Hungary and [[Romania/CarolII|Romania]] quickly joined. [[Bulgaria/BorisIII|Bulgaria]] joined in 1941. [[WorldHistory/Yugoslavia/Paul|Yugoslavia]] also joined in 1941, though this triggered an [[WorldHistory/Allies|Allies-aligned]] coup, so Yugoslavia was in fact invaded by the Axis and partitioned into client states. ---- CategoryRicottone