An alliance of fascist states fighting with Germany during World War II. The term was used in an agreement (October 1936) between Hitler and Mussolini proclaiming the creation of a Rome–Berlin ‘axis round which all European states can also assemble’. Japan joined the coalition on signing the Anti‐Comintern Pact (November 1936). A full military and political alliance between Germany and Italy (the Pact of Steel) followed in 1939. The Tripartite Pact between the three powers in 1940 cemented the alliance, and, by subsequently joining it, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, as well as the Nazi‐created states of Slovakia and Croatia, became members.