NATO (1949) and the Warsaw Pact (1955)

Question 1

What does NATO stand for?

Answer 1

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Question 2

When was NATO established?

Answer 2

1949

Question 3

Why was NATO established?

Answer 3

‘To keep the USA in [Europe], and the USSR out’

Question 4

What did NATO members agree?

Answer 4

That if one member was attacked, all other members would come to their defence

Question 5

Why was NATO significant?

Answer 5

• It was a military alliance (the Marshall Plan was only a trading alliance)
• It was a military alliance committed to containing communism

Question 6

What was the Warsaw Pact?

Answer 6

A military alliance of Eastern European countries (eight originally), led by the USSR

Question 7

What did Warsaw Pact members agree?

Answer 7

That if one country was attacked, all other members would come to their defence

Question 8

What was the significance of the creation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact?

Answer 8

Most of the world was now divided into two military alliances. A minor conflict could quickly escalate into another world war.

Question 9

Why did the USSR create the Warsaw Pact if they already had Cominform?

Answer 9

NATO presented too much of a threat to Soviet security. The USSR wanted a military alliance.