The USSR didn’t create the Warsaw Pact until six years later, in May 1955, in response to NATO. The previous year, it had actually asked to join, fearing the revival of German militarism, which had cost between 20 and 30 million Russian lives in World War 2.

Another important date is 1961, which is the year the Berlin Wall was built. This (and the Warsaw Pact starting years after NATO was formed) are helpful for pointing out which came in response to the other.

Starring this post to remind myself to read the book discussed in the article