NATO and the Warsaw Pact

Cold War Unit – Student Source & Writing Packet

Lesson Title: NATO and the Warsaw Pact – Building a Divided World

Teacher: Dr. Rosie Jayde Uyola

Grade 9 – History of the Americas

Duration: 40 minutes

Focused Free Write: Two teams agree to protect their members. If one is attacked, everyone must respond. Would this system make the world feel safer or raise the risk of global war? 

Vocabulary in Context

Instructions: Find following phrase or sentence from today’s readings that shows the word in use. Write your own sentence.

Term	Your Definition	Phrase from NATO or Warsaw Pact Document
Collective security
Alliance
Deterrence
Escalation
Mutual defense

Document A: NATO Charter (1949)

Source: Excerpts from the North Atlantic Treaty

Preamble: The Parties to this Treaty reaffirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments. They are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage, and civilization of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. They seek to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area. They are resolved to unite their efforts for collective defense and for the preservation of peace and security.

Article 5: The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. Consequently, they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.

Document B: Warsaw Pact Founding Declaration (1955)

Source: Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance

The Contracting Parties, guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, are determined to strengthen the ties of friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance in accordance with the principles of respect for independence and sovereignty. The signatories recognize the need to ensure peace and security in Europe and to safeguard the achievements of socialism in their countries. 

The establishment of a unified military command under this Treaty is a necessary response to the aggressive policies and the remilitarization of West Germany and its integration into the North Atlantic bloc. The signatories pledge mutual assistance in the event of an armed attack in Europe against one or more of the member states.

Source Analysis Chart

Instructions: Read both documents carefully.

Use this chart to compare how each alliance explains its goals, tone, and values.

Question	NATO Charter	Warsaw Pact Statement
What is the goal of this alliance?
Who is being protected and from whom?
What values or beliefs are emphasized?
What emotional tone is used?
What is implied but not directly stated?

Partner Task – Cold War Alliance Map

FFW: Did these alliances protect global peace or prepare the world for more division?

Step	Your Notes
What fear or event caused the alliance?
U.S. response (NATO)
USSR response (Warsaw Pact)
What promise did each alliance make?
What values were emphasized?
What risks did these alliances create?
Final judgment: Peaceful or provocative? Why?

Writing Task – Memo to the United Nations

Scenario:  It is 1955. You are writing a short memo to the United Nations to explain whether NATO and the Warsaw Pact were created to preserve global peace or prepare for power conflict.

In your memo, you must:

1. Explain what NATO and the Warsaw Pact are

2. Include one quote or phrase from each document

3. Name one key similarity and one key difference

4. Take a clear position and support it with evidence

Exit Ticket

Write 1–2 complete sentences in response to each question.

1. Why did the United States create NATO?

2. Why did the Soviet Union respond with the Warsaw Pact?

3. Do you think these alliances helped protect peace—or made global conflict more likely? Why?