Final answer:
The Tripartite Pact was formed by Germany, Italy, and Japan to present a united front against the United States' entry into World War II, deter communism, and support mutual expansionist goals. It served as a military alliance but backfired when the US entered the war following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, obliging Germany to also declare war on the US.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why the Tripartite Pact was Formed
Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Tripartite Pact in 1941 to solidify their military alliance and deter the United States from entering World War II. This Pact outlined a mutual defensive agreement that if any of the signatories were attacked by a country not yet involved in the war—particularly targeting the US—then the other signatories would declare war in support. The alliance also symbolized their shared expansionist goals and opposition to communism, which was taking hold through the Soviet Union and feared in areas like China.
Japan's militaristic leaders saw common ground with Fascism and National Socialism, and had earlier agreed to the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany, later joined by Italy, emphasizing their anti-communist stance. Germany's Hitler saw the alliance as a way to discourage US support to Britain and secure his flanks, while Japan viewed the weakening of European colonies in Asia as a strategic opportunity for expansion. The underlying alignment of ideologies and strategic interests led to the formation of this three-nation alliance, aiming to establish a new order in their respective regions.
The Tripartite Pact would eventually contribute to the entry of the US into the war following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, as Germany honorably declared war on the US, in line with the pact's terms. The agreement initially intended to prevent US involvement ended up having the opposite effect, demonstrating how the alliance ultimately backfired against the Axis powers.