12. Nato And The Warsaw Pact Flashcards
When was NATO formed?
In April 1949 in response to the Berlin blockade and air lift
What does NATO stand for?
North Atlantic Military Organisation
Who were the 12 original members of NATO?
USA, Canada, Britain, France, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Luxembourg and Ireland
What was the purpose of NATO?
It was a collective defence and military strategy so if one member was under attack, it would be seen as an attack on all the members
What were the capabilities of NATO?
Had access to around 50 divisions, 25 of which were active and in February 1952, it was agreed to dramatically increase the strength of NATO forces
When was the Warsaw Pact formed?
In 1955 in response to West Germany being allowed to join NATO
Who later joined NATO?
West Germany in 1955
Who was the members of the Warsaw Pact?
There were 8: SU, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, East Germany, Poland, Hungary and Czechosolakia
What were the capabilities of the Warsaw Pact?
Had approximately 5.5 million personnel and 175 divisions 35,000 tanks and at least 100,000 aircraft
Give two differences between NATO and the Warsaw Pact
- There is greater access to nuclear weapons to NATO than the Warsaw Pact
- in the Warsaw Pact, everything is controlled centrally by the SU unlike in NATO where everyone gets a say
Why would the west be worried about the Warsaw Pact?
- As the SUs red army was huge with 5.5 million men
- the joint command for all armed forces is controlled in Moscow so it would be easy for the SU to take action quickly
Why would the SU be worried about NATO?
- The SU was worried about West Germany now having nuclear weapons which are very close to the SU geographically
- As NATO had more members which means more countries to go up against if anything was to happen
- the US military bases were stationed in Europe and could potentially invade
