The Axis Powers reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Axis Powers

The Axis Powers is a term for countries allied to Nazi Germany in World War II. The three major Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) referred to themselves as the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo axis. The Axis powers were opposed by the Allies.

Italy, facing opposition to its wars in Abyssinia (Ethiopia) from the League of Nations, forged an alliance with Nazi Germany, which had withdrawn from the League in 1933. The term was first used by Benito Mussolini, in November 1936, when he spoke of a Rome-Berlin axis in reference to the treaty of friendship signed between Italy and Nazi Germany on October 25, 1936: the two countries would form an "axis" around which the other states of Europe could revolve. Later, in May 1939, this relationship transformed into an alliance, dubbed the "Pact of Steel".

The Axis was extended to include Japan as a result of the Tripartite Treaty of September 27, 1940. The alliance was subsequently joined by Hungary (November 20, 1940), Romania (November 23, 1940), Slovakia's puppet government (November 24, 1940) and Bulgaria (March 1, 1941).

Yugoslavia joined on March 25, 1941, but a British-supported coup d'état two days later put Yugoslavia's participation in question (although King Peter II of Yugoslavia actually declared his adherence to the treaty), leading to a Nazi occupation of Yugoslavia in April.

In Allied usage, Finland was often referred to as an Axis country, but it was never a signatory. Finland characterized its relationship with Nazi Germany during the Continuation War as co-belligerence.

Some Italians born in this time were named Roberto, which briefly acquired a new meaning from "Roma-Berlino-Tokio".

See also: Central Powers

The Axis of Evil named by George W. Bush has the same connotations behind it as the Axis Powers, although the countries named are not allied with each other.