Why did Hitler sign a pact with Japan?
1 Answer
The Tripartite Pact in September 1940 was the first of a series of agreements between Germany, Italy and Japan. The agreements sought to outline areas of influence and common interests.
Explanation:
Hitler was planning to invade Russia and wanted to create a international diplomatic framework to legalize Germany's dominance of Europe. The Agreement specifically states Germany's dominant position in Europe.
Part of that was to recognize the dominance of Japan in Asia. He was also perhaps hoping to get Japan to move against Russia in the fullness of time. There were several subsequent minor signatories (Hungary, Yugoslavia and others) to the agreement to acknowledge Germany's increasing power. The Agreement with Yugoslavia helped precipitate a a coup which sparked Germany's invasion of Yugoslavia.
Japan was able to negotiate with the Vichy French Government for Military bases in Indochina from a superior position. They were also able to mediate the end of the Franco-Thai war in October 1940 as Germany recognized Japan's dominance in Asia.
The agreement allowed further negotiations between Japan, Italy and Germany. They also formalized the junior position of Italy in Europe.
There was also a "no separate peace" clause with Britain and America in a later agreement just before the Pearl Harbor attack.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripartite_Pact#.22No_separate_peace.22_agreement
