Axis Powers

The Axis, also known as the Axis Powers, was the wartime alliance between Germany and Italy, along with various European Countries in the Balkans and the Italo-German satellite states. it was dissolved after the conclusion of the German-Soviet War.

History
the Axis was formed form the Rome-Berlin Axis of 1936 and the Anti-Comintern Pact of 1939. Italy would join Germany in the latter stages of it's invasion of France. after peace talks, Germany gained border territories from France, along with the annexation of Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland and a recognition of their control of Poland. Italy would gain British and French Somaliland, Tunisia and border territories from France. The alliance grew again in 1940 with the addition of Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria. The alliances greatest test would be the German-Soviet War, which saw the alliance members fight alongside Finland against the Soviet Union. the members would carve up the country, with Germany creating several autonomous territories within European Russia, as well as letting Romania and Finland annex territory. the final military action involving the Axis was Operation Tannenbaum, the invasion of Switzerland, which involved a brutal war of attrition by Swiss defenders against German and Italian forces.

Members

 * Greater German Reich
 * Kingdom of Italy
 * Kingdom of Romania (1940-1946)
 * Kingdom of Hungary (1940-1946)
 * Tsardom of Bulgaria (1941-1946) (did not take part in the invasion of the Soviet Union.)

Satellite States

 * Croatia (1941-1946)
 * Albania
 * Greece (1941-1946)
 * Serbia (1941-46)
 * Slovak Republic

Associated States
these countries did not officially join the Axis, but co-operated with the alliance in other ways:


 * French State
 * Finland