The Axis Powers is the name for the World War II military alliance formed when Germany, Italy and Japan signed the Tripartite Pact. Several other countries signed the pact later in the war. Other countries, such as Finland, fought against the Allied Powers but never formally joined the alliance.

The term Axis was first used by Benito Mussolini in 1936, when he used the phrase Rome-Berlin axis to describe the relationship formed by a treaty signed on October 25.Indiana University: Chronology 1936

At their peak, the Axis powers controlled large parts of Europe, as well as territory in Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.Google Maps: AD 1942 WWII - Axis Powers As the war proceeded, they became less powerful. By the end of 1944, only Germany and Japan remained in the Axis.MSN Encarta: Axis Powers

1. Germany: Adolf Hitler
2. Italy: Benito Mussolini
3. Japan: Emperor Hirohito

1. Germany: 2,049,872Google Books: Encyclopedia of World War II
2. Japan: 1,506,080Google Books: Encyclopedia of World War II
3. Italy: 242,232Google Books: Encyclopedia of World War II

1. Hungary: November 20, 1940
2. Romania: November 23, 1940
3. Slovakia: November 24, 1940
4. Bulgaria: March 1, 1941
5. Yugoslavia: March 25, 1941