2.4.1

Global Alliances in Europe & Asia

Test yourself

Alliances & Shifts in Europe

Cold War alliances then began to shift in 1953. In January of that year, Dwight Eisenhower became the new President of the USA and then in March, Stalin died.

Illustrative background for The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG)Illustrative background for The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) ?? "content

The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG)

  • The FRG stands for the Federal Republic of Germany and was created in 1949 following the Berlin Blockade.
  • In the years that followed this, the FRG was given the power to govern itself and was led by Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.
  • Due to this, the FRG became a powerful ally to the West and USA.
  • In 1955 at the Messina Conference Germany joined 5 other states to form the EEC (European Economic Community).
  • In May 1955, the FRG was also accepted into NATO.
  • The FRG then began to re-arm with the approval of the West.
Illustrative background for The Soviet blocIllustrative background for The Soviet bloc ?? "content

The Soviet bloc

  • The Soviet bloc retaliated to the US dominance of western Europe by setting up the Cominform in 1947 to control the economy of the satellite states.
  • Then in 1955, days after the FRG entering NATO, the USSR announced the Warsaw Pact which was a defensive military alliance of Soviet Bloc countries with joint command led by the USSR.

SEATO

John Dulles (US Secretary of State) created the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) in September 1954.

Illustrative background for The creation of SEATO Illustrative background for The creation of SEATO  ?? "content

The creation of SEATO

  • SEATO was created by Dulles in 1954 in response to the growing strength of the Chinese and Soviet alliance.
  • It was a defensive alliance designed to protect newly independent Southeast Asian states from falling under communist control.
  • Britain, America, France and Australia all joined SEATO
Illustrative background for SEATO's aimsIllustrative background for SEATO's aims ?? "content

SEATO's aims

  • SEATO focused on containing communism and maintaining a ‘defensive perimeter’ around communist states.
  • Many Asian countries (Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia) were not actually members of SEATO but it reflected the USA’s fierce anti-communist policy in Asia.

Jump to other topics

1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9

2Widening of the Cold War

3The Global War

4Confrontation & Cooperation

5Brezhnev Era

6Ending of the Cold War

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson