Formation of International Alliance

International alliances during the cold war era were determined by the requirement of superpower and the smaller states’ calculation.

Europe- the main arena of conflict.

In some cases – superpower used their military power to bring countries into their respective alliances.

e.g., Soviet Union – Eastern Europe, U.S – east and Southeast Asia West Asia, SEATO – Southeast Asian Treaty Org, CENTO – Central Treaty org.

Many newly independent countries, after gaining their independence from the colonial’s powers such as Britain and France, were worried not they would lose their freedom as soon as they gained formal independence.

NAM saves the newly independent countries a way of starchy out of the alliances.

Smaller States were helpful for the superpowers in gaining access to: –

• Viral resources such as oil and minerals.
• Territory from where the superpower could launch primary weapons and troops.
• Location from where they could spy on each other.
• Economic support – small allies together could help pay for military responses.
• Ideological resources.