The First Slovak Republic, a client state created after the disintegration of Czechoslovakia, signed the Tripartite Pact in November 1940, thus officially allying itself with the Axis powers. The backdrop for this decision was a tumultuous European landscape dominated by the machinations of Nazi Germany. Following Czechoslovakia's partition in 1939, Slovakia emerged under a nationalist regime led by Jozef Tiso, who sought to secure the independence of Slovakia but found that independence came with stark realities, notably the need for external support from Germany.

In the subsequent months leading up to the signing of the Tripartite Pact, Slovakia's leaders recognized that aligning with the Axis would provide military protection and economic benefits. They were especially motivated by the German government's willingness to support Slovakia against any potential Czechoslovak revival or threats from Hungary, which had absorbed significant territories from pre-war Czechoslovakia. The Pact was signed in Budapest, with Hungarian officials acting as intermediaries, and it included commitments for military cooperation.

This formal alliance brought Slovakia closer into the geopolitical web of World War II, as it committed the nation to support Axis operations. Apart from the military implications, the agreement opened pathways for German military presence within Slovak territory, creating a closer bond between the two nations. The signing essentially set the stage for Slovakia’s involvement in subsequent military campaigns and reinforced the nation’s dependency on German resources throughout the war.