12. Nato And The Warsaw Pact Flashcards
Why did western allies what Germany to be strong?
As they saw it as a barrier between themselves and communism
What did the Berlin blockade make the USA realise?
They needed to do more than just give economic support I.e the Marshall plan
When was NATO formed?
In April 1949 in response to the Berlin blockade and air lift
What does NATO stand for?
North Atlantic Military Organisation
Who were the 12 original members of NATO?
USA, Canada, Britain, France, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Luxembourg and Ireland
What was the purpose of NATO?
It was a collective defence and military strategy so if one member was under attack, it would be seen as an attack on all the members
However it was also to prevent soviet expansion too
Who held NATO’s nuclear weapons?
Held by the USA, Britain from 1952 and France from 1960
When was the Warsaw Pact formed?
In 1955 in response to West Germany being allowed to join NATO
Who later joined NATO?
West Germany in 1955
Who was the members of the Warsaw Pact?
There were 8: SU, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, East Germany, Poland, Hungary and Czechosolakia
What was the purpose of the Warsaw Pact?
Formed as a counter balance to the power of NATO ant too protect The security and interests of countries behind Iron Curtain
Who held the nuclear weapons within the Warsaw Pact?
The SU
What was the leadership of the Warsaw Pact like?
Officially a collective organisation like NATO but in reality all armed forces were controlled by the SU and all decisions were made in Moscow
Give two differences between NATO and the Warsaw Pact
- There is greater access to nuclear weapons to NATO than the Warsaw Pact
- in the Warsaw Pact, everything is controlled centrally by the SU unlike in NATO where everyone gets a say
Why would the west be worried about the Warsaw Pact?
- As the SUs red army was huge with 5.5 million men
- the joint command for all armed forces is controlled in Moscow so it would be easy for the SU to take action quickly
