The “Axis” powers that opposed the Allies in WW II got their name from Benito Mussolini, who first organized the pact between Italy and Germany. Mussolini at the time was fighting a war in Abyssinia, Africa, one of the few significant states not yet taken over by the other European powers. The League of Nations reacted by imposing sanctions on Italy, one of their own. They were watered down somewhat, and laxly enforced, but to Italy served a clear indication the League was not an ally. Mussolini had no choice but to align himself with Hitler.

On this day, May 22, in 1939, Hitler and Mussolini signed a non-aggression pact, which Mussolini dubbed the “Pact of Steel,” after his first choice “Pact of Blood” was reconsidered. Mussolini said he could see an “axis” running from Rome to Berlin, uniting the two countries.

Italy was hardly a military power, and played a minor part in the war. They were actually defeated in their first attempt to take over Abyssinia, by an army using WW I rifles. In the last days of the French invasion by Germany, just before Paris fell, Italy launched an attack to grab a portion of Southern Italy. Weakened as they were, French defenders almost withstood the attack and rebuffed the invasion.