Why did the Soviet Union view the formation of a West German state and NATO as a threat?
1 Answer
Because of earlier 20th century history.
Explanation:
On the basis of recent past history, the Soviets did have reason to fear the formation of a West German State and NATO.
It is undoubtedly the case that the Soviet Union was aggressive in its policies in Eastern Europe after World War 2. Its blockade of Berlin in 1948 was also provocative, and communist dictatorships were imposed on East European countries with considerable brutality.
One must remember however that the Soviet Union (then Czarist Russia) had been attacked by the West in 1914. The West had also intervened on the side of the White armies against the Bolsheviks after the Russian Revolution in 1917.
Finally the attack by the Nazis on the Soviet Union in 1941, an attack which involved support from fascist states such as Hungary and Romania led to an estimated 27 million deaths most of them civilians.
It was the re-arming of West Germany within NATO which was the specific cause of the formation of the Warsaw Pact and this emphasises The Soviets' fear of attack by the West.
