Warsaw Pact

Question 1

When was it?

Answer 1

1955

Question 2

what is it similar to?

Answer 2

Soviet version of NATO – a military alliance of Eastern Bloc communist countries.

Question 3

Why was it formed?

Answer 3

In response to West Germany joining NATO in 1955.
• Stalin (and later Khrushchev) saw this as a threat to the Soviet Union.
• The USSR wanted to strengthen control over Eastern Europe.

Question 4

Purpose?

Answer 4

Aimed to unite Eastern Europe militarily under Soviet control.
• Allowed the USSR to station troops in other Warsaw Pact countries.
• Used to crush uprisings, like:
• Hungarian Uprising (1956)
• Prague Spring (1968)

Question 5

Consequences?

Answer 5

Increased tension with the West – worsened the divide between NATO and the USSR.
2. Cemented the idea of the Iron Curtain – division of Europe into East and West.
3. Allowed the USSR to keep tight military control over Eastern Europe.

Question 6

When did it end?

Answer 6

1991