Who were the key members of the Axis Powers during WWII?

The key members of the Axis Powers during World War II were Germany, Italy, and Japan. This alliance was formed primarily in opposition to the Allied forces and played a significant role in the war's early years. Germany, under Adolf Hitler, sought territorial expansion in Europe, while Italy, led by Benito Mussolini, aspired to create a new Roman Empire in the Mediterranean. Japan aimed to dominate Asia and the Pacific, initiating military campaigns throughout China and later attacking the United States at Pearl Harbor in 1941.

These three nations coordinated their efforts and military strategies, contributing to some of the significant military campaigns of the conflict, including the invasion of Poland (by Germany), the attack on France (by Germany and Italy), and the expansion in Asia (by Japan). Their collaboration marked the main opposition to the Allies, which included countries such as the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom among others.

The other options contain countries that were either part of the Allied Powers or not aligned in the Axis alliance. France and Britain were key members of the Allies and opposed the Axis. Spain and Portugal remained neutral during the war, while Russia (the Soviet Union) was initially non-aggressive toward Germany due to the Molotov-Ribb