Name Date

REVIEW

CALIFORNIA CONTENT Military Alliances

STANDARD 11.9.2
During the Cold War

Specific Objective: Understand the role of military alliances, including NATO

and SEATO, in deterring communist aggression and maintaining security during the
Cold War.

Read the summary to answer the questions on the next page.

Military Threats during the Cold War

• The USSR was dedicated to expanding communism to other countries around the
world after World War II.
• It supported communists in civil wars or internal conflicts in other countries.
• Countries in Eastern Europe were dominated by the USSR, which stationed troops
and stockpiled weapons in countries bordering the democracies of Western Europe.
• The USSR attempted to take over West Berlin with a blockade in 1948. Western
Europe became more concerned about Soviet aggression.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

• Established in 1949 as a military alliance for mutual protection; included ten
European countries, Canada, and the United States
• First military alliance by United States during peacetime in its history
• Greece and Turkey joined in 1952, West Germany in 1955, and Spain in 1980.
• Used for containment of communism in Europe
Copyright © McDougal Littell/Houghton Mifflin Company

• NATO and the United States did not provide military support for revolutions against
communism in Eastern European countries during 1950s
• Combined forces of 500,000 in Europe by 1952 as well as planes, tanks, and weapons
• In response, Eastern European nations formed the Warsaw Pact in 1955 when West
Germany was allowed to re-arm. It provided for mutual defense by any member
under attack.
• NATO is still strong today and includes some formerly communist countries
(Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic).

Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)

• Established in 1954 as a military alliance to offer protection to democracies in
Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. It was intended to prevent the spread of
communism through military attacks after French withdrawal from Indochina.
• Involved Australia, France, Great Britain, the United States and other countries
• Different from NATO because members did not pledge military assistance against
attack
• SEATO approved United States involvement in Vietnam and some members pro-
vided troops, but SEATO itself did not provide troops.
• The alliance was disbanded in 1977.

CSS Specific Objective 11.9.2: Review 125

Name Date

PRACTICE

CALIFORNIA CONTENT Military Alliances

STANDARD 11.9.2
During the Cold War

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer.

The Warsaw Pact and NATO, 1955 NORWAY

Warsaw Pact countries

SWEDEN

Sea
NATO members
DENMARK
Nonaligned nations i

c
lt
Ba
IRELAND
GREAT NETHERLANDS
BRITAIN
Berlin
SOVIET UNION
EAST POLAND
BELGIUM GERMANY
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
WEST CZECHOSLOVAKIA
N
GERMANY
FRANCE
SWITZERLAND AUSTRIA
HUNGARY
ROMANIA

YUGOSLAVIA
Black
ITALY BULGARIA Sea
PORTUGAL

SPAIN

GREECE TURKEY
ALBANIA
Medite
0 500 Miles rranean Sea

0 1000 Kilometers

1 Based on the map, which statement 3 Eastern European countries formed

about Europe in 1955 is true? the Warsaw Pact in 1955 after

Copyright © McDougal Littell/Houghton Mifflin Company

A All the World War II allies were in A France withdrew from NATO.
NATO.
B the United States moved nuclear
B NATO countries had more territory missiles into Turkey.
than members of the Warsaw Pact.
C West Germany was allowed to re-arm.
C The Cold War had changed European
D Hungarians revolted against the
alliances after World War II.
USSR.
D Berlin was located in a NATO
country. 4 Why was SEATO formed after France
withdrew from Indochina in 1954?
2 Which goal best describes the USSR’s
A to keep European countries from
intentions after World War II?
returning to Southeast Asia
A to expand communism into countries
B to keep colonial powers from coming
around the world
into Southeast Asia
B to convert to a capitalist economy
C to contain the spread of communism
C to maintain communism only where it in Southeast Asia
already existed
D to form an alliance of Southeast Asia,
D to develop a more democratic form of China, and Japan against the USSR
government

126 CSS Specific Objective 11.9.2: Practice