NATO + Warsaw Pact Flashcards
Why did the US want to integrate Europe? What did it hope to establish?
The US hoped to integrate Europe politically and economically to:
- Deter Communist government.
- Enhance trade worldwide and provide market for US exports.
- Draw states out of the Soviet bloc.
The US hopes to establish the United States of Europe which would become wealthy.
How did France want to integrate the West?
France and the smaller European states saw Western political and economic integration as the key to harness industrial resources of the FRG without it regaining power.
What did Britain hope to do to integrate the FRG?
Britain was focused on improving relations with the US and Common Wealth. They wanted to rearm the FRG in NATO in order to align it firmly with Europe but France feared Germany’s rise.
How was the European Coal and Steel Community established, and who didn’t join?
May 1950 - Robert Schuman, France foreign minister, suggests a European Coal and Steel Community. The Schuman Plan would enable allies to exploit Germany’s coal without it’s growth, and was received warmly by FRG, Italy, and Benelux states. However, Britain, which had only just nationalised its mines, did not receive this so warmly.
In July 1952 the Community was formed, regulating steel and coal while also providing for economic needs. NATO provided economic security.
What was cominform, and what did it hope to achieve?
Cominform and Comecon were established to achieve close social, economic, cultural, military, and political policies, and support closer relations.
Cominform was established in September 1947 and aimed to achieve closer ties. The Communist Information Bureau promoted ideological unity, inviting the French and Italian parties, achieving Sovietization, co-ordinating Communist groups in third world countries, and combating Titoism.
What was comecon, and what did it hope to achieve?
Comecon, the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, was established in 1949 but it was not until 1954 that a secretariat was formed, and 1959 that it became better organised and began to plan integration. It founded with Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria, with GDR joining in 1950. It would;
- Centralise economies in countries.
- Establish Five Year Plans to focus on heavy industry.
- Collectivise agriculture.
Why was NATO formed?
Russia had not demobilised with 250 divisions in Eastern Europe compared to the US which had 12. Russia had aggressive expansion.
The US didn’t want communism to spread.
What treaty did Britain and France sign in 1947, and which treaty with Benelux states followed in 1948?
In 1947 Britain and France signed the Treaty of Dunkirk for mutual defence, and in 1948 March, signed with the Benelux states the Brussels Defence Treaty, with a command HQ near Paris and Montgomery, Field Marshall, head of military planning. NATO would integrate US and Canada.
What events increased concern and needs for NATO?
The Soviets blockaded Berlin in 1948 and the West worked together to overcome the blockade. Then came Comecon in January 1949 to counteract Marshall Aid. By September the USSR tested an atom bomb, ending the US’s lead, and in October China was fully communist.
What ideas did NATO establish, and who joined?
NATO established the ideas:
- An attack on one was an attack on all.
- All defence forces under NATO joint command.
In 1949 12 states joined, followed by Italy from the South. By 1952 Greece and Turkey joined, and West Germany in 1955.
Which other supranational organisations formed?
1950-53 Korean War led to establishment of multi-national forces such as SHAPE, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, near Paris. It was realised Western forces needed to defend each other from Russia. Alongside this, five divisions of the US army would be stationed in Germany to commit to Europe’s defence.
NATO was strengthened by the creation of SEATO, and CENTO, the Central Treaty Organisation, which aimed to protect weaker capitalist countries.
Who withdrew from NATO in 1966, and what decision did NATO make about missiles in 1979?
France temporarily withdrew in 1966 when Gaulle objected to placing troops and weapons under foreign control, alongside in 1979 NATO deciding that by 1983 it would site 500 Pershing and Cruise missiles in Europe as a response to the growth in numbers of Soviet nuclear weapons. This led to a heightened arms race.
What were NATO weaknesses?
- Self-interest, as seen with France’s withdrawal.
- US dominated with them supplying the supreme leader, controlling nuclear weapons, and providing 75% of troops and money.
- US claimed NATO was all give and no take.
- USSR had more conventional forces.
- They had to rely on nuclear deterrence, worsening wartime tensions.
What were NATO strengths and its impact?
- People had more faith as it was a smaller organisation and easier to co-ordinate, it was a military alliance, with some ‘muscle,’ and was based on self-interest.
Truman considered the US’s involvement in forming NATO an act of neighbourliness, and realised isolationism in 1920s-30s was a mistake; the US realised its responsibilities to maintain peace and containment.
It led to formation of the Warsaw Pact, and created 55 years of peace in central Europe.
