Q. Consider the following statements:

1. NATO was formed during the cold war as a military alliance of mainly western European and North American countries.
2. 'Warsaw Pact' was a military block of mainly communist countries.
3. Considering the role played by Germany in the WWII, it was kept out of any military alliance.

Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer: Only 1 and 2
Notes: A new military alliance had come into being in April, 1949. The USA and most countries of Western Europe- Britain, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Holland, Norway, Denmark, Portugal and Italy- and Iceland and Canada formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). It is believed that the formation of NATO was stimulated by the Berlin blockade by USSR. So, statement 1 is correct. In 1955, when West Germany was admitted as a member of NATO, the Soviet Union and the East European countries ruled by communist parties formed their military alliance which is known as the Warsaw Pact. The Warsaw Pact countries, like the NATO countries, had a joint military command. So, statement 2 is correct. Germany was divided into the West and East Germany. While West Germany was admitted into the NATO, the East Germany was incorporated into the 'Warsaw Pact'. Statement 3 is incorrect.