Most powerful member of the Axis Powers in World War II

[hangfan91]

Which of the 3 axis powers was the most powerful economically/militarily?

I say it's a pretty close toss-up between Japan and Germany seeing how Japan was able to take over a huge swath of East Asia including China, Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, etc. and held pretty well initially against the Americans.

[Obama-Biden Democrat]

Definitely Nazi Germany. It was by far the most dangerous enemy of the allies in WW2 and before due to the fact that it directly threatened the very existence of France, Great Britain and all of Europe.  Japan also only threatened the colonies of the various European powers and not there very existence.

Germany also had around 15% of world GDP in the 1930's compared to the US's 40%, UK's 12% and the USSR'S 15% and Japan 3 %. Japan after it's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor could run rampant for 6 months or so but it would be crushed in time by the Allies overwhelming industrial might.

Italy was just lol, they lost to the Greeks.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Seriously, the Axis Powers would be far better off with Italy remaining neutral than joining them. One of the reasons Barbarossa has failed was a need to clean up Mussolini's mess in Greece, thus postponing the invasion on the USSR. Also, come on, a recognized "great power" getting their ass kicked by a small state with small and barely equipped army...

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Seriously, the Axis Powers would be far better off with Italy remaining neutral than joining them. One of the reasons Barbarossa has failed was a need to clean up Mussolini's mess in Greece, thus postponing the invasion on the USSR. Also, come on, a recognized "great power" getting their ass kicked by a small state with small and barely equipped army...

While that's often given as a reason for the failure of Barbarossa, the weather in 1941 would have caused at least some delay in the start of Barbarossa.

[© tweed]

do you mean relative to their own "theatre" or in an absolute sense?  if so, Imperial Japan on its best day might take the cake.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Italy, of course!

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

The Nazis.  Despite being surrounded by the UK, France, and Allies they took over Europe pushed the USSR to the brink and very nearly took over the continent.  Japan was very powerful, but was hardly facing any other modernized country in their conquest of the Pacific. 

[H. Ross Peron]

Das Dritte Reich

[Frodo]

Germany in both world wars. 

[Mr. Smith]

Als "National Progressive" sagte, das Dritte Reich.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

LOL, someone voted Italy? Hint: the most powerful one didn't need help invading Albania.

[tpfkaw]

LOL, someone voted Italy? Hint: the most powerful one didn't need help invading Albania.

You're thinking of Greece.

[Boston Bread]

LOL, someone voted Italy? Hint: the most powerful one didn't need help invading Albania.

You're thinking of Greece.

Greece sure didn't need any help to occupy Italian-held Northern Epirus.

[Obama-Biden Democrat]

Seriously, the Axis Powers would be far better off with Italy remaining neutral than joining them. One of the reasons Barbarossa has failed was a need to clean up Mussolini's mess in Greece, thus postponing the invasion on the USSR. Also, come on, a recognized "great power" getting their ass kicked by a small state with small and barely equipped army...

Haha , yea. Ironically Il Duce's bombastic posturing about 7 million Italian bayonets and the new Roman Empire actually scared France and Britain pre war. They desperately wanted to keep Italy neutral and were considering giving them concessions in Tunisia.

[NewYorkExpress]

The Nazis... The only reason they didn't win is because Hitler was a crazy person... If Rudolf Hess was in charge he probably would have went for Britain before launching Barbarossa.

Also, Japan was a Axis Power in name only. They didn't do anything to help Hitler and Mussolini between 1940 and 1945, and you could argue seizing the Asian Colonies could have made things worse for the Nazis and Il Duce, and helped Stalin during Barbarossa (because Japan didn't attack Siberia, which would have helped Hitler)

[Cory]

Germany was the single most capable and powerful Axis power. It's a fact. They were the only one with a chance of actually winning. Japan was doomed from the beginning and Italy was practically a German client state by 1941. Especially after the fiasco in the Balkans.