Both Germany and Japan experienced rapid rises in power during World War II, with Germany quickly conquering much of Europe and Japan expanding its territorial control in Asia and the Pacific. However, both nations' aggressive expansionism eventually led to their downfall, as they became overstretched and faced increasing resistance from Allied forces. Germany surrendered in 1945 after a series of devastating losses, while Japan was ultimately defeated following the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
