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Explain two of the following: - The importance of the formation of NATO (1949) for the development of the Cold War - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 3
Explain two of the following: - The importance of the formation of NATO (1949) for the development of the Cold War. - The importance of the summit meetings of 1959... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain two of the following: - The importance of the formation of NATO (1949) for the development of the Cold War - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
The importance of the formation of NATO (1949) for the development of the Cold War.
Answer
The formation of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in 1949 was a pivotal moment in the onset of the Cold War, marking a clear division between Eastern and Western blocs. NATO was established as a collective defense mechanism against the perceived threat of Soviet expansionism following World War II.
The treaty bound member countries, primarily in North America and Western Europe, to mutual defense, which signified a formal military alliance aimed directly at deterring Soviet aggression. This commitment to mutual defense intensified the arms race and entrenched the ideological divide between capitalism and communism, leading to tense standoffs, such as the Berlin Blockade.
NATO’s establishment also prompted the Soviet Union to create the Warsaw Pact in 1955, further solidifying the bipolar nature of international relations during the Cold War and escalating military tensions across Europe.
Step 2
The importance of the summit meetings of 1959–61 for relations between East and West.
Answer
The summit meetings held between East and West from 1959 to 1961 were crucial in shaping Cold War dynamics, as they were platforms for dialogue aimed at reducing tensions during a particularly volatile period. Notable meetings included the Paris summit in 1960, which was marred by the U-2 incident, where an American spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory.
These encounters allowed leaders to engage in direct communication and develop mutual understandings, despite ongoing distrust. President Kennedy's efforts during this period, particularly his negotiations during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, demonstrated that dialogue could avert direct military confrontation.
The summit meetings represented early attempts to establish a framework for diplomacy, though the inability to solve significant differences left a lingering tension that continued to affect superpower relations.