Allied powers, coalition of countries that opposed the Axis powers (led by Germany, Italy, and Japan) during World War II. The principal members of the Allies were the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States, and China (the “Big Four”), as
and he resigned his powers. On July 25 the king,Victor Emmanuel III, ordered the arrest of Mussolini andentrustedMarshalPietro Badogliowith the formation of a new government. The new government entered into secret negotiations with the Allies, despite the presence of sizable German forces in Italy...