Warsaw Pact

To counter the influence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, the Soviet Union organized its own military alliance among those nations in its sphere of influence.  This alliance was known as the Warsaw Pact, and was organized in May, 1955.

The division between NATO countries and the Warsaw Pact countries where a very real reminder of the Cold War, that at times pushed tensions almost tot he breaking point.

NATO countries in blue. Warsaw Pact countries in red.
(Public Domain)