NATO and Warsaw Pact Flashcards
What were causes of NATO’s formation? What treaties led to the formation between England, France, and Benelux states?
Russia had not demobilised, with 250 divisions in Eastern Europe as opposed to less than 12 Western divisions.
- The USA wanted to prevent communism from spreading further and gave Marshall Aid to countries in the West.
- In 1947 the Treaty of Dunkirk was formed between England and France. By March 1948, the Benelux countries joined,
and the Brussels Defence Treaty was signed with a HQ near Paris and Field Marshall Montgomer as head of military plans.
What events led to NATO forming?
- June 1948 Berlin Blockade.
- January 1949 Comecon.
- 1949, September, testing of atomic bomb.
- October 1949, China becomes Communist.
What did Italy joining mean for NATO’s reach?
What additions strengthened NATO?
What was formed in NATO as a result of the Korean War?
What other organisations formed?
When did French withdraw?
What did NATO decide to place in Europe in 1979?
NATO would defend any countries under attack, with the defences of each country under joint command. Italy
extended NATO beyond the North Atlantic. NATO was strengthed with the 1952 addition of Greece and Turkey, while
in 1955 West Germany joined. The Korean War lead to formation of SHAPE, (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers
Europe), with 5 divisions sent to German. SEATO founded in 1954, and CENTO in 1959. In 1966 General de Gaulle
made the French withdraw in protest to placing French weapons and troops under foreign control. By 1979, NATO
decided on 500 Pershing and cruise missiles to be placed in Europe by 1983, leadin to a big arms race.
What were strengths of NATO?
- Countries had faith in NATO as it : promoted self-interest preventing countries from leaving due to idealism;
was small and easier to organise as a result; as a military organisation it had muscle; economic and technical
superiority.
What were NATO weaknesses?
- Self interest, such as France’s withdrawal in 1966.
- America always provided supreme commander, nuclear weapons and 75% of troops and forces.
- NATO was ‘all give and no take.’
- NATO was short on numbers compared to the Warsaw Pact.
- Worsened Russian fears that capitalist states would grow aggressive towards it.
What were NATO achievements?
Truman considered NATO, and the US’ involvement, as an ‘act of neighbourliness,’ realising isolationism
during the 20s and 30s had been a fatal mistake. They had to defend capitalism and democracy according
to the Marshall Plan and Truman Doctrine.
Crystallised the two sides during the Cold War.
Maintained peace in Central Europe for 55 years.
When was the Warsaw Pact announced? What Treaty was signed?
Announced on 14 May 1955 after a three day conference, with signing in Warsaw.
Announcements stated Prime Minister Marshall Nikolai Aleksandrovich Bulganin, and leaders of the countries
agreed draft for the Warsaw Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance with integration of
military, economic, and cultural policy. All countries agreed to unify forces under one command.
The agreement was signed at the Warsaw Palace in the news of West Germany joining NATO.
Why was Yugoslavia excluded from the Warsaw Pact?
Yugoslavia was expelled from Cominform in 1948 for refusing to acknowledge supremacy.
Where was the agreement signed?
What did Bulganin claim West Germany’s joining of NATO would lead to?
What did Warsaw Pact supercede?
What did they claim NATO was encouraging?
What was the Pact inspired by and what Charter would it stick to?
The agreement was signed at the Warsaw Palace in the news of West Germany joining NATO.
Marshall Bulganin threatened this decision would create a ‘hotbed of the danger of war’ in Europe as well as
preventing Germany from being unified. All bilateral agreements would be superceded by this pact.
NATO was encouraging countries in the Near and Middle East to set attacks on USSR.
The Pact was inspired by the Leninist Principle and they would stick to UN Charter.
