Axis Powers
The Axis Powers consisted of Nazi Germany, Italy and the Japanese Empire. The Axis Powers Alliance started before World War II and the planning stages of the alliance going as far back as 1920 (2 years after World War I ended). Italy and Germany were the first to create and enter the Axis Alliance when Italy secretly delivered military weapons to Germany after the Treaty of Versailles disabled Germany's military operations and power, greatly. Italy, under the leadership of Mussolini, wanted a strategic alliance with Germany to increase their influence over Europe and also saw Germany to be an ally for their fight against the French in World War II. 1935 was considered a crucial part for the Axis Powers because the Treaty of Versailles was scheduled to expire and therefore they were preparing for the upcoming war against France and the other Allied Powers. Over the course of World War II, the alliance between Germany and Italy grew distant due to some disagreements between the two countries. Interests of forming an alliance with Japan started in 1935, when Italy realised that because of the relations Japan had with Britain. This relationship would eventually put pressure on the British in the duration of the war. Japan also joined the Axis Powers to rally against Soviet Union (which were part of the Allied Powers).