Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
The Warsaw Pact, 1955 (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
The Warsaw Pact, 1955 - 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 formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in 1949 to make sure that they could counter any potential Soviet invasion of Western Europe. After the introduction of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) into NATO in May 1955, Stalin quickly moved to create a similar military alliance made up of countries of the 'Eastern Bloc'. This became 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 the Warsaw Pact Formed in 1955?
The Warsaw Pact was created in May 1955 in response to the German Federal Republic (West Germany) joining NATO:
The Soviet Union were worried about a strong West Germany being part of a military alliance with the USA
Reasons that caused the Warsaw Pact
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Some students confuse the Warsaw Pact with NATO. They are both military alliances. However, NATO joined the military force of the West whereas the Warsaw Pact was a military agreement within Eastern Europe.
What did the Warsaw Pact Promise?
The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance based on 'Collective Security'
If one member was attacked, all members would defend it
It was created to provide an equivalent military alliance to NATO
The Warsaw Pact was under the command of the Soviet Union
Aims and membership of the Warsaw Pact
The Impact of the Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact confirmed the separation of Europe into two groups:
Western, capitalist countries that were members of NATO
Eastern, communist countries that were members of the Warsaw Pact
The creation of the Warsaw Pact was a military decision by the Soviet Union
As of August 1949, the Soviet Union had achieved parity with the USA in regards to atomic weapons
The presence of two military alliances in Europe increased the likelihood of war and led to both groups increasing their military power
How did the Warsaw Pact affect US-Soviet relations?
Worked Example
Explain one consequence of the Warsaw Pact (1995)
4 marks
Answer:
One consequence of the Warsaw Pact is the increased tension between East and West. The Warsaw Pact made a formal military alliance between the Soviet Union and the satellite states of Eastern Europe. This created two competing military camps in Europe - the Warsaw Pact and NATO. This made conflict more likely as both East and West possessed large combined armed forces and military equipment. As a result, the Warsaw Pact caused more tension between the communist Soviet Union and the capitalist USA.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
This question has previously asked you to explain two consequences. In the Superpower Relations exam paper for 2025, this question will ask you to explain one consequence. However, there will be two different "Explain one consequence of" questions, each worth four marks.
To gain four marks, the consequence should include:
An identified consequence of the event that is stated in the question
Specific own knowledge linked to the event that shows in-depth knowledge of the period
Using the own knowledge to explain the consequence of the chosen event
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