Rome-Berlin Axis
Who: Mussolini and Hitler
What: The Rome-Berlin Axis arose out of the treaty of friendship signed between Italy and Germany on October 25, 1936. Mussolini declared that the two countries would form an "axis" around which the other states of Europe would revolve. This treaty was forged when Italy, originally opposed to Germany, was faced with opposition to its war in Abyssinia from the League of Nations and received support from Germany. Later, in May 1939, this relationship transformed into an alliance, called by Mussolini the "Pact of Steel".
Where: Germany and Italy
When: First used in 1936
Significance: The Rome-Berlin Axis eventually led to the Axis Alliance, in which Italy Germany and Japan were the three strongest. The tripartite pact. Also called Rome-Berlin-Tokyo.