Arms Race + Warsaw Pact 1949-58

Question 1

What was the Warsaw Pact and when was it set up?

Answer 1

• set up in May 1955
• USSRs response to NATO
• military alliance of 8 nations (satellite states) designed to counter the threat of NATO ( collective defence treaty)

Question 2

Consequences of the Warsaw Pact

Answer 2

• increased rivalry and confirmed division between East and West (existence of 2 rival alliance systems separated by Iron Curtain)
• intensified Arms Race - both alliances planned for military action against each other using nuclear weapons
• strengthened USSRs control over Eastern Europe (gave them control, over armed forced of satellite states)

Question 3

Why did Arms Race intensify?

Answer 3

• both superpowers had atomic bombs and started to develop more projects and bigger bombs, each side wanting to compete with the other
• Formation of the Warsaw Pact and NATO

Question 4

What happened during the Arms Race?

Answer 4

• until 1949= USA had advantage (atomic bomb)
• 1949= USSR made atomic bomb, both superpowers increase defence spending
• 1953= both have H-bomb
• mid 1950s= bigger, expensive, more dangerous weapons made on both sides, resulting in MAD

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Question 5

Consequences of Arms Race

Answer 5

• increased tensions (each side felt threatened)

- led to MAD, led to threat of nuclear war