Berlin-Rome Axis and Anti-Comintern Pact

The Italian „Duce“ Mussolini and the German „Führer“ Hitler

Up to now the Italian „Duce“ Benito Mussolini has had a rather negative attitude toward Adolf Hitler – above all because of the latter’s support of the National Socialists’ 1934 coup attempt in Austria. Rome fears the „annexation“ of Austria by the German Reich. But Hitler’s support of Italy’s Abyssinian campaign changed this attitude. So a rapprochement between the two fascist dictators came about. In a speech which Mussolini gave on 1 November 1936 – only a few days after the signing of an accord between Germany and Italy – the „Duce“ coins the expression „Berlin-Rome Axis“ for the new partnership.

Source: This image comes from the article Fascism (English) in the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and is under GNU-license for free documentation

Japanese representatives signing the Anti-Comintern Pact

In the meantime Hitler is able to gain an additional ally: On 25 November 1936 he concludes the „Anti-Comintern Pact“ with Japan, an agreement which is directed against the Soviet Union.