5. Post-War Political and Economic Alliances (Summary)
Political Alliances:
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NATO (1949): Formed by Western countries for mutual military defense against Soviet aggression.
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Warsaw Pact (1955): Soviet-led military alliance as a counter to NATO, including Eastern Bloc countries.
Economic Alliances:
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Marshall Plan: U.S. financial aid to rebuild Western Europe and stop communism.
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Molotov Plan: Soviet response offering aid to Eastern Bloc countries.
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COMECON: Promoted economic cooperation among communist nations.
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COMINFORM: Coordinated communist ideology and policy among member states.
6. Background to Post-War Alliances:
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The rise of communism in Eastern Europe worried Western democracies.
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Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech warned of deepening East-West divisions.
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The Marshall Plan united Western allies through economic support.
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The Molotov Plan aligned Eastern countries under Soviet economic influence.
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NATO and Warsaw Pact formed to ensure military security and ideological unity.
7. Impact of Post-War Alliances:
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The world divided into Eastern (communist) and Western (capitalist) blocs.
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Tensions rose due to arms race and ideological rivalry.
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Proxy wars occurred globally, e.g., in Korea and Vietnam.
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Nations aligned politically based on ideology (USA or USSR).
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Economic aid became a tool for political influence.
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Military alliances led to the presence of foreign bases in many countries.