NATO and The Warsaw Pact

The Cold War
NATO and the

Warsaw Pact
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Learning objectives
What we will learn in this presentation:

Learning objectives
What NATO was.
Why NATO was set up.
How the USSR responded.
The importance of NATO and the

Warsaw Pact.
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What was NATO and why was it set up?
By the end of the 1940s, many Westerners were beginning

to worry about the large armies which Russia had
stationed in Eastern Europe.
How could the Berlin Blockade

be considered ‘proof’ that the
USSR was a danger to Western
Europe?
3 of 14 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

What was NATO and why was it set up?
The USA used this fear to set up an alliance to defend

the Western world.
It was called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

(NATO), and countries signed up in April 1949. 12
countries originally signed the treaty.
US officials called NATO an “antidote to fear”.

How do you think the USSR perceived it?

Impact on the Arms Race
The USA and the USSR competed to build more and

more powerful weapons. This was called the Arms Race,
and it is closely linked to NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
Each side tried to become more powerful than the other.
The USA claimed NATO was a defensive alliance

against the USSR. However, when NATO was first set
up, the USA had a nuclear monopoly on the world.
The USSR did not even test nuclear weapons until later
that year. By then, the USA was working on even more
powerful versions!
Why do you think the USA really was

so keen on NATO?
The reaction of the USSR
In May 1955, West Germany was admitted into NATO.
Worst fears realized –

Germany being rebuilt and
now part of a military alliance!
How do you think the USSR

felt about this?
What was the real Action is needed –
purpose of what can the USSR
NATO? Could it do to counter
be offensive? NATO?

Creation of the Warsaw Pact
West Germany joining NATO now meant that Germany

once again had military power.
For the Soviets, who had suffered greatly at the hands of

the Germans, this was too much. The Soviets set up the
Warsaw Pact which the Eastern European countries
signed.
It was intended to be a defensive alliance, like NATO, but

it was essentially used to keep control in Eastern Europe.
Why do you think the USSR set up the Warsaw Pact?

The Hungarian Uprising
In Hungary in 1956 the communist

government installed by the Soviet
Union was overthrown by the
Hungarian people. The new leader
announced democratic reforms,
and said Hungary would leave the
Warsaw Pact.
The USSR brutally put down the revolt, rolling into
Budapest with tanks and reinstating the communist
government. It didn't want to lose one of its buffer states
to capitalism.
Many thousands of people were killed in the uprising, and
many people in the West turned away from support of the
USSR.
Which was the stronger organization?
NATO Warsaw Pact
NATO had territory Moscow had political
separated by water and domination over central and
land (non-NATO countries Eastern Europe.
e.g. Switzerland). The Warsaw Pact countries
NATO was a voluntary had geographic cohesion
alliance of democratic (was one large area) and
states. land connections, so it was
USA was a major part of easy to transfer forces and
NATO, but each member weapons.
was involved in decision The Warsaw Pact very
making. clearly controlled from
NATO had overall military
Moscow.
superiority.
Which organization do you think has greater power?
Why?
A comparison of the two treaties
“…the Parties … will “…the best way to ensure

maintain and develop their peace and prevent new
individual and collective aggression … is the
capacity to resist armed organization of a system of
attack.” collective security … new
measures [are required] for
“The Parties agree that an strengthening the defences of
armed attack against one … our peace-loving countries.
of them … shall be The treaty of friendship, co-
considered an attack against operation and mutual aid … is
them all.” precisely to serve these aims.”
From the NATO Treaty, 1949. From the Warsaw Pact, 1955.
What do the two treaties have in common?

Is one more aggressive than the other?
Which treaty suggests more control? Why?
How important were NATO & the Warsaw Pact?
Discuss your ideas together…
What do you think?
Were these In your opinion,

defensive alliances who had most to
really needed? What impact did gain from these
the creation of alliances?
NATO have on
Remember the the USSR?
Berlin Blockade?

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The Cold War

NATO and the

What we will learn in this presentation:

What NATO was.

Why NATO was set up.

How the USSR responded.

The importance of NATO and the

By the end of the 1940s, many Westerners were beginning

How could the Berlin Blockade

3 of 14 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

The USA used this fear to set up an alliance to defend

It was called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

US officials called NATO an “antidote to fear”.

4 of 14 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

The USA and the USSR competed to build more and

The USA claimed NATO was a defensive alliance

Why do you think the USA really was

In May 1955, West Germany was admitted into NATO.

Worst fears realized –

How do you think the USSR

6 of 14 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

West Germany joining NATO now meant that Germany

For the Soviets, who had suffered greatly at the hands of

It was intended to be a defensive alliance, like NATO, but

Why do you think the USSR set up the Warsaw Pact?

7 of 14 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

In Hungary in 1956 the communist

“…the Parties … will “…the best way to ensure

What do the two treaties have in common?

Discuss your ideas together…

What do you think?

Were these In your opinion,

11 of 14 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

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