Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2016
Last exams 2025
NATO, 1949 (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Joel Davis
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
The Importance of NATO for US-Soviet Relations - Summary
Tensions between the two superpowers of the USA and the Soviet Union had increased following the creation of Cominform in 1947 and Comecon in 1949. These organisations had convinced President Truman that the Soviet Union was seeking to spread communism in Europe. The fall of Czechoslovakia to communism in 1948 further confirmed these fears.
After the Soviet Union blocked access to Berlin during the Berlin Crisis, the Western powers decided to create a military alliance to make sure that they could counter any potential Soviet invasion of Western Europe.
Still existing today, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was established in 1949 with 12 members. This further increased tension between the East and West and prompted Stalin to create a similar military alliance in 1955, known as the Warsaw Pact.
Europe was now not only divided by ideological differences but also by two rival military forces prepared for conflict.
Why was NATO Formed in 1949?
NATO was created in April 1949 in response to the growing tension between East and West following the end of the Second World War
The Berlin Crisis in 1948, followed by the communist takeover in Czechoslovakia, was the tipping point that convinced the Western powers to take a stand against the Soviet Union
Why was NATO created in April 1949?
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember that the Superpower Relations exam tests you on your ability to connect events in a narrative. Using flow diagrams in your revision is a useful way to see how one event led to another event. To challenge yourself, write above each link the theme that connects the two events. For example, Cominform and Czechoslovakia link together. This is because Cominform was an agreement to bring the Eastern European governments together. Czechoslovakia is the practical application of Cominform.
What did NATO Promise?
NATO was a military alliance based on collective security
If one member was attacked, all members would defend it
It was created to counter the presence of the huge Red Army in Eastern Europe and send a message to Stalin that the West was united and prepared for future war
What was NATO?
The Impact of NATO
NATO marked a serious shift in US foreign policy because now they were officially prepared to use their military in Europe:
How did US foreign policy change from 1941-49?
NATO further increased tensions between the USA and the Soviet Union
In August 1949, the Soviet Union successfully tested their first atomic bomb
In 1955, the Soviet Union created its own military alliance, known as the Warsaw Pact
Worked Example
Explain the importance of the formation of NATO (1949) for the development of the Cold War
8 marks
Partial answer:
One reason why NATO was important for the Cold War was how it divided Europe. NATO was a military alliance created by the USA with countries in the West. This caused a division because Stalin viewed NATO as an aggressive action. Some NATO countries bordered Eastern Europe. As a result, Stalin worried that the USA would use NATO in Europe to attack Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Therefore, the formation of NATO created a bigger divide between East and West.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
This style of question in the exam paper would be worth 8 marks. An examiner would expect you to write two paragraphs analysing the importance of an event on a wider theme like US-Soviet relations. Ensure your answer has a chain of impacts in each one of your paragraphs. The worked example argues that:
NATO created a military alliance between the USA and the West
NATO countries bordered Eastern Europe
This made Stalin worried about the threat of the USA using NATO against them
As a result, NATO created a bigger divide between East and West
These points link together to create a developed explanation as to why NATO developed the Cold War. Attempt to make a chain of impacts when writing your own answers to this type of question.
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