The term designates a collective defense treaty established in 1955 by the Soviet Union and seven other Eastern European socialist republics. This alliance served as a direct countermeasure to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which had formed several years prior. Member states included Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Soviet Union. The agreement stipulated that an attack on one member would be considered an attack on all, prompting collective military response.
This agreement held significant importance in the context of the Cold War, contributing to the escalating tensions between the Eastern and Western blocs. It solidified the Soviet Union’s sphere of influence over Eastern Europe and provided a framework for military cooperation and standardization within the communist bloc. This military and political alliance served as a vital instrument for maintaining Soviet hegemony in the region and presented a unified front against perceived threats from the West. The organization allowed the Soviet Union to exert influence over the military policies and deployment of forces within its member nations.
