Why did the Soviet Union form the Warsaw Pact?

1 Answer
Apr 30, 2016

To create a defensive ring for the Soviet and fears about the re-arming of West Germany.

Explanation:

The Warsaw Pact was not created until 1955, several years after the formation of NATO. It certainly was a counterbalance to NATO. However the re-arming of West Germany within NATO was a more immediate reason for its formation. Given the losses suffered by the Soviet Union in World War 2 at the hands of Germany, this was hardly surprising.

It also was a means of controlling the defence forces of East European Soviet satellite states to create a barrier protecting the Soviet Union from attack similar to that which had been experienced in 1914, 1917 and 1941.