The Warsaw Pact was an agreement signed by the USSR and seven of its European satellite states, on May 14, 1955, only 6 years after the creation of NATO, its western equivalent. The Warsaw Pact was created in order to call on all member states to combine in the unified defence of any member states that may be attacked by an outside force. It also unified the military forces of all member states into one command, lead by Marshal Ivan S. Konev, a Soviet military commander. However the official statement regarding its creation put the US and NATO as the aggressor, forcing the USSR to act in self defence, and defend itself and its allies, stating, “Western Germany, which is being remilitarized, and her inclusion in the North Atlantic bloc, which increases the danger of a new war and creates a threat to the national security of peace-loving states.” The Warsaw Pact remain relatively unified until in 1990 East Germany left to reunite with West Germany and join NATO, this began its inevitable decline, until finally in March of 1991 the military alliance component was dissolved.
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I like this quick description of the Warsaw Pact and its creation. I think that this is a great excerpt using sources to quickly explain the Warsaw Pact and its purpose to someone who needs quick information. I also liked how you interpreted a quotation in from a Soviet military official, the first person quote helps put emphasis on the Warsaw Pact but still gives the quick feeling that one needs.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good, concise post explaining the Warsaw Pact. While it is sometimes seen as the Eastern equivalent of NATO, in reality Russia often dominated its decisions. The pact was also used to control dissent in different USSR satellites.
ReplyDeletesource: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/warsaw-treaty