2. Study the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The smaller states in the alliances used the link to the superpowers for their own purposes. They
got the promise of protection, weapons and economic aid against their local rivals, mostly regional
neighbours with whom they had rivalries. The alliance systems led by the two superpowers,
therefore, threatened to divide the entire world into two camps. This division happened first in
Europe. Most countries of Western Europe sided with the US and those of Eastern Europe joined
the Soviet camp. That is why, these were also called the 'western' and the 'eastern' alliances.
(i) Name one organization each related to the 'western' and the 'eastern' alliances.
(ii) Why were the smaller states interested in joining the super alliances?
(iii) How did the 'alliance system' threaten to divide the world? [CBSE (AI) 2017]
Answers
Answer:
(i) The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was also known as the Western Alliance because most countries of Western Europe sided with the US. ... The Warsaw Pact was also called the 'Eastern Alliance' due to the alliance of Eastern European countries with the Soviet Union.
(ii) Smaller states joined the super alliance for their own purpose as they were promised protection, weapon and economic aid against their local rivals.
(iii) Alliance system was led by the two superpowers, therefore threatened to divide the entire world into two camps.
Answer:
(i) The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation NATO) was also known as the Western ( Alliance because most countries of Western Europe sided with the US. ... The Warsaw Pact was also called the 'Eastern Alliance' due to the alliance of Eastern European countries with the Soviet Union.
(ii) Smaller states joined the super alliance for their own purpose as they were promised protection, weapon and economic aid against their local rivals.
(iii) Alliance system was led by the two superpowers, therefore threatened to divide the entire world into two camps.