The Axis Powers of World War II was established with the signing of the Tripartite Pact in 1940 and pursued a strongly militarist and nationalist ideology; with a policy of anti-communism. During the early phase of the war, puppet governments were established in their occupied nations. When the war ended, many of them faced trials for war crimes. The chief leaders were Adolf Hitler of Nazi Germany, Benito Mussolini of Fascist Italy, and Hirohito of the Empire of Japan. Unlike what happened with the Allies, there was never a joint meeting of the main Axis heads of government, although Mussolini and Hitler met on a regular basis.

Bulgaria

Germany

Hungary

Italy

Japan

Romania

Client states and protectorates

Slovak Republic

French State

Independent State of Croatia

German puppet states

Protectorate of Denmark

Province of Ljubljana

Norwegian National government

Government of National Salvation, Serbia

Italian puppet states

Albanian Kingdom

Kingdom of Montenegro

Joint German–Italian puppet states

Hellenic State

Japanese puppet states

State of Burma

Kingdom of Cambodia

Republic of China-Nanjing

Provisional Government of Free India

Kingdom of Laos

Manchukuo

Mengjiang

Second Philippine Republic

Empire of Vietnam

Co-belligerents

The following countries fought side by side with the Axis powers for a common cause. These countries were not signatories of the Tripartite Pact and thus not formal members of the Axis.

Finland

Iraq

Thailand