Germany, italy, and japan built up their militaries to:
a. slow down the economy
b. trade with the west
c. beat one another
d. increase their power

#2 the answer is d

#3 the answer is a

#4 the answer is b

the correct answer option is: weapons.

explanation:

tensions rose as the two opposing superpowers competed for 'weapons'.

referring to the cold war (1945-1991), the two superpowers, usa and ussr, experienced a phase of struggle and conflict with each other. these two superpowers considered each other as a threat to their survival and thus opted for policies to strengthen their positions.

the two superpowers never went to war with each other directly but competed for weapons to preserve their positions.