CANADA HISTORY - DOCUMENTS WAR

1936-40 Axis Alliance of Germany, Japan and Italy

Analysis of the Document - (The Document follows below the Analysis)

The Axis Alliance, formalized between 1936 and 1940 by Germany, Italy, and Japan, significantly impacted global geopolitics and Canada's role in World War II. This alliance aimed to reshape the global order by challenging the dominance of Western democracies. For Canada, the Axis Alliance presented both a direct and ideological threat.

When the Axis Powers launched their campaigns of aggression, Canada, under Prime Minister Mackenzie King, was drawn deeper into the conflict after initially supporting Britain through material aid. The growing aggressiveness of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan galvanized Canada’s decision to enter the war following Britain’s declaration in 1939.

While Canada’s involvement initially focused on supporting the United Kingdom, the rise of the Axis Alliance forced Canadian troops into multiple theatres, from Europe to the Pacific. The Italian campaign, in particular, saw significant Canadian contributions, marking a defining chapter in the nation’s wartime history. In Italy, Canadian forces helped liberate key areas, contributing to the eventual fall of Mussolini’s regime.

On the home front, the Axis powers' ideologies underscored the contrast between democracy and totalitarianism. As Hitler’s expansionism and atrocities against humanity became widely known, Canada’s sense of national identity as a democratic nation was further solidified. War mobilization also transformed Canada's economy and workforce, laying the foundation for the nation's post-war industrial boom.

In the Pacific theatre, the Axis threat from Japan became more acute after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Canada immediately declared war on Japan, but its territory had already been touched by conflict. The Battle of Hong Kong, in which Canadian troops fought valiantly against Japanese forces, was a stark reminder of the global reach of the Axis Alliance. The fall of Hong Kong was a devastating loss for Canada, marking one of its most significant defeats during the war.

The Axis Alliance’s influence extended beyond military confrontation, shaping Canadian social policies and the treatment of certain ethnic groups. Japanese-Canadians were interned during the war, a decision driven by fear of espionage and sabotage, highlighting the ways in which war-time panic led to violations of civil liberties.

Post-war, the Axis defeat allowed Canada to emerge as a middle power on the international stage. Its contributions to the Allied victory helped shape the post-war order, contributing to the founding of the United Nations and international peacekeeping missions. The ideological struggle against the Axis powers also reinforced Canada's commitment to multilateralism, peacekeeping, and the defense of human rights, core tenets that would define Canadian foreign policy in the latter half of the 20th century.

In conclusion, the Axis Alliance not only shaped the course of World War II but also had lasting impacts on Canada’s role in global affairs, national identity, and its commitment to democratic values. Through its participation in the war effort, Canada became a more prominent player on the world stage and laid the foundation for its future as a champion of international cooperation and human rights.

(1) German-Japanese Agreement and Supplementary Protocol, Signed at Berlin, November 25, 1936 (Anti-Comintern Pact)

(2) Protocol Concluded by Italy, Germany, and Japan, at Rome, November 6, 1937

(3) Summary of the Three-Power Pact Between Germany, Italy, and Japan, Signed at Berlin, September 27, 1940. (The Tripartite Pact)

(1) German-Japanese Agreement and Supplementary Protocol, Signed at Berlin, November 25, 1936 (Anti-Comintern Pact)

Translation, in Department of State, Foreign Relations of the United States: Japan, 1931-1941, II, 153

Agreement Guarding Against the Communistic International

The Imperial Government of Japan and the Government of Germany,

In cognizance of the fact that the object of the Communistic International (the so-called Komintern) is the disintegration of, and the commission of violence against, existing States by the exercise of all means at its command,

Believing that the toleration of interference by the Communistic International in the internal affairs of nations not only endangers their internal peace and social welfare, but threatens the general peace of the world,

Desiring to co-operate for defense against communistic disintegration, have agreed as follows.

Article I

The High Contracting States agree that they will mutually keep each other informed concerning the activities of the Communistic International, will confer upon the necessary measure of defense, and will carry out such measures in close co-operation.

Article II

The High Contracting States will jointly invite third States whose internal peace is menaced by the disintegrating work of the Communistic International, to adopt defensive measures in the spirit of the present Agreement or to participate in the present Agreement.

Article III

The Japanese and German texts are each valid as the original text of this Agreement. The Agreement shall come into force on the day of its signature and shall remain in force for the term of five years. The High Contracting States will, in a reasonable time before the expiration of the said term, come to an understanding upon the further manner of their co-operation.

In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorized by their respective Governments, have affixed hereto their seals and signatures.

Done in duplicate at Berlin, November 25th, 11th year of Showa, corresponding to November 25th, 1936.

Viscount Kintomo Mushakoji Imperial Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Joachim von Ribbentrop German Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

***

Supplementary Protocol to the Agreement Guarding Against the Communistic International

On the occasion of the signature this day of the Agreement guarding against the Communistic International the undersigned plenipotentiaries have agreed as follows:

(a) The competent authorities of both High Contracting States will closely co-operate in the exchange of reports on the activities of the Communistic International and on measures of information and defense against the Communistic International.

(b) The competent authorities of both High Contracting States will, withing the framework of the existing law, take stringent measures against those who at home or abroad work on direct or indirect duty of the Communistic International or assist its disintegrating activities.

(c) To facilitate the co-operation of the competent authorities of the two High Contracting States as set out in (a) above, a standing committee shall be established. By this committee the further measures to be adopted in order to counter the disintegrating activities of the Communistic International shall be considered and conferred upon.

Done at Berlin, November 25th, 11th year of Showa, corresponding to November 25th, 1936.

Viscount Kintomo Mushakoji Imperial Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Joachim von Ribbentrop German Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

(2) Protocol Concluded by Italy, Germany, and Japan, at Rome, November 6, 1937

Translation, in Department of State, Foreign Relations of the United States: Japan, 1931-1941, II, 159

The Italian Government, the Government of the German Reich, and the Impreial Government of Japan,

Considering that the Communist International continues constantly to imperil the civilized world in the Occident and Orient, disturbing and destroygin peace and order,

Considering that only close collaboration looking to the maintenance of peace and order can limit and remove that peril,

Considering that Italy - who with the advent of the Fascist regime has with inflexible determination combated that peril and rid her territory of the Communist International - has decided to align herself against the common enemy along with Germany and Japan, who for their part are animated by like determination to defend themselves against the Communist International.

Have, in conformity with Article 2 of the Agreement against the Communist International concluded at Berlin on November 25, 1936, by Germany and Japan, agreed upon the following:

Article I

Italy becomes a party to the Agreement against the Communist International and to the Supplementary Protocol concluded on November 25, 1936, between Germany and Japan, the text of which is included in the annex to the present Protocol.

Article II

The three powers signatory to the present Protocol agree that Italy will be considered as an original signatory to the Agreement and Supplementary Protocol mentioned in the preceding article, the signing of the present Protocol being equivalent to the signature of the original text of the aforesaid Agreement and Supplementary Protocol.

Article III

The present Protocol shall constitute an integral part of the above-mentioned Agreement and Supplementary Protocol.

Article IV

The present Protocol is drawn up in Italian, Japanese, and German, each text being considered authentic. It shall enter into effect on the date of signature.

In testimony whereof, etc...

Ciano von Ribbentrop Hotta

(3) Summary of the Three-Power Pact Between Germany, Italy, and Japan, Signed at Berlin, September 27, 1940. (The Tripartite Pact)

The governments of Germany, Italy and Japan, considering it as a condition precedent of any lasting peace that all nations of the world be given each its own proper place, have decided to stand by and co-operate with one another in regard to their efforts in greater East Asia and regions of Europe respectively wherein it is their prime purpose to establish and maintain a new order of things calculated to promote the mutual prosperity and welfare of the peoples concerned.

Furthermore, it is the desire of the three governments to extend co-operation to such nations in other spheres of the world as may be inclined to put forth endeavours along lines similar to their own, in order that their ultimate aspirations for world peace may thus be realized.

Accordingly, the governments of Germany, Italy and Japan have agreed as follows:

Article One

Japan recognizes and respects the leadership of Germany and Italy in establishment of a new order in Europe.

Article Two

Germany and Italy recognize and respect the leadership of Japan in the establishment of a new order in greater East Asia.

Article Three

Germany, Italy and Japan agree to co-operate in their efforts on aforesaid lines. They further undertake to assist one another with all political, economic and military means when one of the three contracting powers is attacked by a power at present not involved in the European war or in the Chinese-Japanese conflict.

Article Four

With the view to implementing the present pact, joint technical commissions, members which are to be appointed by the respective governments of Germany, Italy and Japan will meet without delay.

Article Five

Germany, Italy and Japan affirm that the aforesaid terms do not in any way affect the political status which exists at present as between each of the three contracting powers and Soviet Russia.

Article Six

The present pact shall come into effect immediately upon signature and shall remain in force 10 years from the date of its coming into force. At the proper time before expiration of said term, the high contracting parties shall at the request of any of them enter into negotiations for its renewal.

In faith whereof, the undersigned duly authorized by their respective governments have signed this pact and have affixed hereto their signatures.

Done in triplicate at Berlin, the 27th day of September, 1940, in the 19th year of the fascist era, corresponding to the 27th day of the ninth month of the 15th year of Showa (the reign of Emperor Hirohito).