Japan The
Empire of Japan had been creating puppet states in
China since 1932 after the
Mukden incident. ====
Northeast Supreme Administrative Council – February 16, 1932 to March 1, 1932==== On February 16, 1932, the
Imperial Army hosted the "Founding Conference" or the "Big Four Conference" with governor of
Liaoning,
Zang Shiyi, commander of the Kirin Provincial Army,
Xi Qia,
Heilongjiang governor,
Zhang Jinghui, and general
Ma Zhanshan to establish the Northeast Administrative Committee. On its second meeting, the committee appointed the previous four and
Tang Yulin, Ling Sheng, and Qimote Semupilei as chairmen. On the 18th, the Council issued a statement announcing that "the Northeast provinces are completely independent", all territories of which were in the hands of the council. ====
State of Manchuria – March 1, 1932 to August 18, 1945==== • (, ) Manchuria had long been a location of unrest, and the
Mukden Incident was a perfect excuse for Japanese occupation. In the Mukden incident, the
Kwantung Army set off a bomb along the
South Manchuria Railway and used the explosion as an excuse to occupy Manchuria, blaming Chinese forces. Manchukuo was created in March 1932. Although the Japanese controlled the area, they could not annex Manchuria into Japan because they had signed the
Nine-Power Treaty. Japan and Manchukuo signed several treaties allowing Japan to mobilize Manchuria's people and resources as it liked. It was disestablished after the
Soviet invasion of Manchuria. East Hebei protected Japan's economic interests by prohibiting the export of silver and the circulation of the notes of the Central Bank of China. They also set up their own Central Bank and began to issue notes which were supported by several banks and were widely circulated in
Tianjin, against the orders of the Chinese central government. Under Japan's control of East Hebei, the region broke into reported "lawlessness", with the puppet state purportedly selling drugs to raise money. On February 1, 1938, East Hebei was merged with the
Provisional Government of the Republic of China. ====
Mengjiang United Autonomous Government – September 1, 1939 to August 19, 1945==== • (, ) On 22 December 1935, part of
Inner Mongolia split from China, and became an independent state. The Mongol Military Government was formed on 12 May 1936. The military government operated under Chinese sovereignty, but Japanese control. In 1937, its name was changed to the
Mongol United Autonomous Government. In 1939, the United Mongolian Autonomous Government, the
Northern Shanxi Autonomous Government, and the
South Chahar Autonomous Government merged to become Mengjiang. Mengjiang was later merged with other puppet states to create the
Provisional Government of the Republic of China. ====
Great Way Government – December 5, 1937 to May 3, 1938==== • (,
Japanese: ) The Great Way Municipal Government (GWMG) was created to help administer the occupied suburbs of Shanghai in December 1937. The GWMG was very small, headquartered in an office building in
Pudong. Because of its association with the Japanese government, the GWMG found it hard to attract any politicians of reputation. It had difficulty creating an administration for Shanghai, and after just under five months merged with a new occupation regime in
Nanjing. ====
Provisional Government of the Republic of China – December 14, 1937 to March 30, 1940==== • (, ) The Provisional Government was set up just over six months after the
Marco Polo Bridge incident, on the day after the
fall of Nanking. Before the country was even created, in October 1937, Japan created the to exploit China's resource-rich north. On 30 March 1940, the Provisional Government was merged with other puppet states to form the
Reorganized National Government of China. The RGRC was intended to appear legitimate.
Wang Jingwei was the first Chairman of the RGRC. Despite this, the government was filled with "nonentities who posed no threat to the Japanese exercise of real power." It was merged into the
Reorganized National Government of China in 1940. ====
Reorganized National Government of China – March 30, 1940 to August 16, 1945==== • (, ) Japan wanted to make Wang Jingwei, the former leader of the
Provisional Government of China, the leader of a new puppet government. He set up a new
Nationalist government and requested that the
Three Principles be reinstated, among other things. The Japanese initially denied this request, viewing the Three Principles as "Western ideas," but eventually accepted, with some exceptions: the requested five-branch system was replaced with a one-party system. The Nationalist Government retained independence in financial matters and the economy, but Japan controlled its politics. Despite this, the country had no real power, and was mainly used as a propaganda tool. The country was disestablished in August 1945. ====
Second Philippine Republic – October 14, 1943 to August 17, 1945==== • (, ) File:Flag of the Philippines (1943-1945).svg|thumb|177x177px|right|[Second] Republic of the PhilippinesFollowing Japan's
invasion of the Philippines in 1941, the Japanese tried to present themselves as liberators of the Philippines from their "colonial repression." In 1942, a group of influential Filipino politicians tried to negotiate with the Japanese for the creation of a new national government, but this led to nothing more than the creation of the puppet state. A second factor in the creation of the puppet state was the turning tide of the war: the Japanese believed that the creation of a government that appeared free would boost civilian morale. On 20 October 1944, US forces began the
liberation of the Philippines. The Philippines were effectively under United States control by July 1945, and the Philippines was
granted full independence in July 1946. ====
Provisional Government of Free India – October 21, 1943 to September 06, 1945==== • (, , , ) The Provisional Government of India, sometimes also called the Provisional Government of Azad Hind, was created by Indian nationalists-in-exile in October 1943. The Provisional Government ended shortly after Subhas Bose died in a plane crash on the way to Taiwan, in August 1945. With his death, much of the
Indian National Army surrendered. Japan occupied Vietnam for much of World War II, and this set up a climate favorable to more radical ideas and revolutionary nationalism. Starting in the spring of 1945, the
Viet Minh began carving out a small "liberated zone" along the borderlands of Vietnam. In an effort to save downed American pilots lost in Vietnam, the US agreed to aid the Viet Minh army, and train their technicians. After the first revolution, on 9 March 1945, the French governor of Indochina
Jean Decoux was arrested, and replaced (by the Japanese government) with
Bảo Đại. Despite its local backing, the government had no military power of its own. Bảo Đại later wrote that, while working there, he "felt isolated in a dead capital city." ====
Kingdom of Cambodia – March 13, 1945 to October 16, 1945==== • (, ) In October 1940, the
Franco-Thai War broke out between Vichy France and Thailand. The Japanese, using their power in the area (gained after the
Japanese invasion of French Indochina), mediated the
ceasefire, and got Vichy France to cede disputed territories to Thailand. On 8 December 1941, Japanese forces invaded Thailand, using bases in Cambodia. By July 1942, nationalists were growing more upset with the French rule in the area, and were planning a march against the French, when, on 17 July, their leader,
Hem Chieu, was arrested after mentioning his ideas of a march to a Cambodian militiaman. This outraged the nationalists, and they staged a Japanese-backed rally on 20 July. The French reacted harshly, tracking down as many people as possible who attended the protest, then trying them. After the
allied invasion of France, Japan began to grow fearful that the
Free French Forces would align Cambodia with the allied cause. On 9 March 1945, Japan seized control of Cambodia in a
coup d'état in French Indochina. On 13 March,
Norodom Sihanouk agreed with Japanese wishes, and declared that Cambodia was now the independent Kingdom of Kampuchea, and nullified all Franco-Cambodian agreements. Within a day of the surrender of Japan, Cambodia was returned to French hands. ====
Kingdom of Luang Prabang – April 8, 1945 to October 12, 1945==== • (, ) In March 1945, large numbers of French officials in Laos were then imprisoned or executed by the Japanese. The staunchly pro-French King
Sisavang Vong was also imprisoned and forced by the Japanese, and at much urging from Prince
Phetsarath, into declaring the French protectorate over his kingdom ended, while entering the nation into the
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere on 8 April 1945. Prince Phetsarath remained as Prime Minister in the newly independent puppet state.
Italy The
Kingdom of Italy did not have nearly as many puppet states as its partner Axis countries, however, Italy co-administered some countries in the
Balkans with
Germany, Greece, in particular. Italy's puppet states were captured by Germany after the
Armistice of Cassibile.
– April 12, 1939 to September 8, 1943 • (, , )
Benito Mussolini viewed Albania as strategically important, began
Italian invasion of Albania in 1939.
Lost to the Germans after
Italy surrendered.
– 3 October, 1941 to 12 September, 1943 • (, ) Italy
invaded Yugoslavia in 1941, and after 12 days of fighting, Yugoslavia was patitioned between
Germany,
Hungary,
Italy, and
Bulgaria. After a brief state of
independence, the governate was established.
Lost to the Germans after
Italy surrendered.
– April 30, 1941 to September 8, 1943 • (, ,
Greece) Italy
invaded Greece on 28 October 1940. After a five month stalemate,
an intervention by Germany helped to complete the Axis invasion. This led to both Germany and Italy controlling the Greek government. Germany gained full control after Italy surrendered according to the terms of the
Armistice of Cassibile.
Germany Nazi Germany had a large number of puppet states after World War II began. Some were countries that once supported it, but fell to or switched sides to the
Allies. Others were countries that Germany invaded. Reichskommissariats are not included in this list. ====
Albanian Kingdom – September 14, 1943 to November 29, 1944==== • (
Kingdom of Albania, , ) Originally under the control of Italy, the Albanian Kingdom came under the control of Germany after the
Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943. Living conditions were already very poor, but worsened under wartime occupation. Albania was freed from German control on 29 November 1944, when
Albanian Communist Partisans liberated the last German-controlled city,
Shkodër. As German fighters either fled or were killed or captured, the city grew increasingly desolate. Communists began to assert themselves over Albania, and were so aggressive people were afraid to go outdoors. ====
Hellenic State – April 30, 1941 to October 12, 1944==== • (, ,
Greece) Following
Benito Mussolini's
invasion of Albania, Italy continued to expand in the Mediterranean, and, on 28 October 1940, Italy's ambassador to Greece,
Emanuele Grazzi, presented the ultimatum to Greece's dictator,
Ioannis Metaxas, who responded curtly with , Greek for "no." The Italian army immediately invaded Greece, using land gained in Albania as a base of operations. The Greek Army, however, put up steadfast resistance. In commemoration, 28 October is now remembered as "Ohi Day" (occasionally "Oxi Day") in Greek communities. Beginning in January 1941 — following Metaxas' death — the British offer to help was accepted but this help was largely uncoordinated with Greece's own efforts. On 6 April, Germany launched
Operation Marita, the dual invasion of Greece and Yugoslavia. The small Greek and British forces remaining quickly succumbed to the dual invasion, and by 9 April, had surrendered. In 1943, the early conflicts which later sparked the
Greek Civil War occurred, further dividing the country. On 1 October 1944, British commando units landed on the beaches of Greece, and further Allied attacks began days later. By 12 February 1945, Greece was liberated by the Allies; however, Greece soon collapsed into civil war. ====
Slovak Republic – March 14, 1939 to April 4, 1945 ==== • (, ) In early March, rumors planted by Germans reached Slovakian leaders that Germany would give Slovakia economic support if Slovakia became independent. On 10 March, diplomatic talks between the Czechs and the Slovaks broke down. Germany insisted that Slovakia either declare independence, or be abandoned. It later received a
telegram declaring Slovakia's independence, and requesting German assistance. Shortly afterwards the
Slovak–Hungarian War broke out over the eastern border of the Slovak State, disputed by
Hungary. The war lasted from 23 March to 4 April 1939 and ended with German mediation. Hungary gained 400 square miles (1,036 square kilometers) of land. ====
Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia – March 16, 1939 to May 8, 1945==== • (, ,
Bohemia and
Moravia) On March 14, the
Slovak Republic announced its independence. Two days later, following negotiations with president
Emil Hácha, the
Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia was proclaimed, and the remainder of the
Czech Lands was occupied by
Germany and became a German protectorate. ====
French State – July 10, 1940 to August 9, 1944==== • (, ,
France and its
colonies) Officially called the French State, Vichy France was established after the German victory over France with
the armistice of 22 June 1940 in the non-occupied
zone libre. Hitler had a number of reasons for capturing France, the most prevalent among them its future use as a stepping stone to Great Britain, and France's rich natural resources. Hitler's intention to invade Great Britain (
Operation Sea Lion) could not be realized until Hitler won air superiority, a goal Hitler had trouble attaining. On top of the lack of air support, much of France continued to fight, despite its surrender. Northern France and
Pas-de-Calais were combined with Belgium into the
Military Administration in Belgium and Northern France, and further divided into administrative districts such as
Gau Westmark. Finally, Vichy France, technically independent from Germany, tried to appease Germany and keep from the same
fate as Poland.
Philippe Pétain as head of government instituted a number of
Fuhrer principles. In November 1942, Germany invaded Vichy France anyway. The Vichy regime was not however replaced with a military government; the German authorities supervised and enforced laws with the aid of the
Gestapo. ====
Independent State of Croatia – April 10, 1941 to May 25, 1945==== • (, ,
Italian stato indipendente della Croazia.
Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia, southern
Dalmatia, and
Bosnia and Herzegovina. during the
Axis occupation of Serbia. ====
Reichskommissariat Norwegen, previously
Norway – February 1, 1942 to May 9, 1945==== • (, Initially, the Germans planned to depose the Norwegian government, as evidenced by the ousting of Quisling from power in June, however, by September, Terboven had announced that all political parties except Quisling's
Nasjonal Samling, which was a mirror of Hitler's
Nazi Party, were banned. On 1 February, Terboven declared Quisling the Premier of Norway, making his leadership of the country official, though his direct control of the country remained as minimal as before. Quisling remained in his position of power until the surrender of Germany, on 9 May 1945. ====
Lokot Autonomy – April 1942 to August 1943==== • (, ,
Orel,
Kursk, and
Bryansk of the
Soviet Union) On 22 June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Upon reaching
Orel, Kursk, and Bryansk, the Nazis were greeted by the ardent anti-communist
Bronislav Kaminski and his forces, who were actively fighting the Soviets. His forces, known as the Russkaya Osvoboditelnaya Narodnaya Armiya,
Russian National Liberation Army, (RONA), was composed of
Red Army deserters, anti-communist
white Russian collaborators, and a rag-tag group of
expatriates. RONA's forces were allowed to control the area in November 1941 by
Rudolf Schmidt, though it is unclear whether he acted of his own accord or on another officer's orders. Lokot was initially headed by the founder of RONA,
Konstantin Voskoboinik, but after Voskoboinik was killed in early 1942, control of the region was transferred to Kaminski. In April 1942 the Lokot region was given limited autonomy. While they were in charge, Kaminski's forces rooted out
partisan activity with notorious ruthlessness, and became incorporated into the
SS as
S.S. Sturmbrigade R.O.N.A. In May 1942, after gaining support from
Alfred Rosenberg, the region was granted increased autonomy. By 1943 however, RONA began to suffer many desertions, due to Russia's improved position against Germany, and the Lokot Autonomy was evacuated by August 1943. So despite Italy's surrender, the
Italian Campaign lasted on for another year and a half. On 25 April, the Italian Social Republic was defeated, and on 2 May 1945, Germany surrendered, and the Italian Campaign was won. ====
Belarusian Central Rada – December 12, 1943 to July 2, 1944==== • (, ) The
German occupation of Belarus began the same day as
Operation Barbarossa (22 June 1941) due to its proximity to the German-Soviet border. Initially, the land was included in
Reichskommissariat Ostland. Early on, much of the state's work was done by pro-Nazi and anti-communist Belarusian Self-Help battalions, but in April 1943 the chief of German security police in Belarus demanded that all Self-Help groups disband. was a semi-independent
military government subordinate to the
Nazi Operational Zone of the Adriatic Littoral. The political entity had dual leadership representing the
Caucasian population and the
Cossack population which had been settled by the order of
Odilo Globocnik in
Carnia,
Friuli. The settlement program, started with
Operation Ataman managed to settle up to 22,000 Cossacks (Including 9,000 soldiers, 6,000 elders, 4,000 of family members and 3,000 children) and 4,000 Caucasians (2,000 soldiers and 2,000 family members, not counting the Georgians) with the use of up to 50 military trains. The entity lasted from July 1944 to May 1945, when the Cossacks and Caucasians that had settled within it relocated to
Austria in order to surrender to the
British authorities. ====
Government of National Unity (Hungary) – October 16, 1944 to May 7, 1945==== • (, ,
Hungary) Beginning in the fall of 1943, Hitler became increasingly fearful that Romania or Hungary would try to collaborate with the Allies as Italy had, and saw Hungary's aloofness as a key sign of impending collaboration. Hitler devised a plan,
Operation Margarethe then
Operation Margarethe II, aiming to occupy Romania at the same time. This was later dropped because the German Operations Staff believed they did not have enough men to engage both countries at once. On 18 March 1944, Hungary's
Regent Miklós Horthy met with Hitler as German troops silently crossed the Hungarian border. During his meeting with Hitler, Horthy was informed of invasion and forced to accept changes to replace Prime Minister
Miklós Kállay, known to have been talking with the West, with
Döme Sztójay. On 20 August the Soviet Union began the
Jassy–Kishinev Offensive, and the Romanian Army switched sides. On 23 August, Romania allied with the Soviet Union to fight Nazi Germany, their ally at the beginning of the operation. Now Hungary had to defend its borders against both the Soviet Union and Romania. The Romanians also had incentive to invade Hungary, an old territorial dispute. On 24 September, the situation in Hungary was so dire that Horthy hand-wrote a letter to Stalin pleading for peace, going so far as to claim he had been misinformed about the
Bombing of Kassa, an event used to bring Hungary to war against the Soviet Union. Hungary had announced the jumping out of the war on 15 October, but German leaders discovered the plan and seized Hungary the same day.
Ferenc Szálasi and his party, the fascist
Arrow Cross Party, were placed in control of the government, and members of his party took over many government posts. The Government of National Unity was officially set up two days later. It remained under Germany's control until the end of World War II, when it was invaded by the Allies, on 7 March 1945. ==References==