Who were the major Axis Powers during World War II?

The major Axis Powers during World War II were Germany, Italy, and Japan, which is reflected in the correct answer. These three nations formed an alliance that opposed the Allied Powers, leading to a significant global conflict from 1939 to 1945.

Germany, under Adolf Hitler, sought to expand its territory and influence in Europe, leading to the invasion of Poland and the subsequent outbreak of the war. Italy, led by Benito Mussolini, aimed to establish a new Roman Empire in Africa and the Mediterranean. Japan pursued imperial expansion in East Asia and the Pacific, culminating in the attack on Pearl Harbor and the broader conflict with the United States and its allies.

The cohesion among these nations was characterized by their shared goals of territorial expansion and a desire to challenge the status quo established after World War I. Their military alliances allowed them to coordinate efforts against the Allied Powers, which included nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China.

The other choices listed do not accurately represent the Axis Powers. France, for example, was primarily a member of the Allies and was invaded by Germany early in the war. Russia, which eventually joined the Allies following Germany's invasion in 1941, was not part of the Axis.