What are the names of the teams in World War 2?

Answer 1

I wouldn't call them teams, but the two sides were known as the Axis (Germany, Japan, and Italy), and the Allies (USA, Russia, Britain).

Their relationships are complicated. Russia had initially signed a pact with Germany over Polish territory. It makes sense when you consider where Poland is: right between Germany and Russia. However, Germany did not uphold their end of the bargain, thereby causing Russia to loosely ally with Britain.

The USA had been supplying Britain with weapons and money as early as 1939. Understandably, the Germans did not appreciate the USA's interference and attempted brokering a deal with Mexico to take back the states they had lost in the Mexican-American War. This news sent shock waves throughout the USA, and coupled with Nazi submarine attacks on American supply ships in the Atlantic, was enough to change America's attitude about entering into "Europe's war."

So there you have it. The United States held interests in British stability and survival, the Russians were duped by Hitler, and when you put the three together, you have the Allies.

The Japanese wanted full naval control of the Pacific. The Americans have a base at Pearl Harbor, which is between the USA's mainland and Japan. Hitler's plan allowed for the Japanese to take control of the Pacific because Germany was busy invading Africa. Italy is in very close proximity to Africa and Hitler admired Benito Mussolini. Whereas Italy had fallen into a state of fascism, Hitler took that ideal and imposed it ten-fold (adding anti-antisemitism), which created a unique German state of fascism. So, add the three together and you have the Axis: born more out of common enemies than common state interests and ideals.