• NATO came into being in 1949 to counteract the Soviet treaty.

• The major commands of NATO are
  SHAPE
  SACLANT

• The clause of NATO is that armed aggression against one would be considered as an attack on all.

• In 1994, the East European countries showed an interest in joining the NATO.

• and Ukraine signed a deal by which Clinton promised safety for Europe.

• to NATO is now open to all European countries.

• By the Warsaw Pact, six countries were bound to communities.

• In March 1991, the organs and structures of the Warsaw Pact were dismantled, and the treaty was wound up.

• Russia became a super power after the Second World War.

• From 1964-82, Brezhnev, a dictator ruled over Russia.

• After 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev took over.

• The leading role of the Communist Party was abolished in February 1990.

• An attempt by a group of communist hard-liners to depose Gorbachev was defeated by the resistance of Russian President Yeltsin and the army’s refusal to take action against unarmed civilian protest.

• After a pact was signed between the rebels of Chechnya and the Russian Security Chief, peace was established in Chechnya.

• In the elections of 1996, Yeltsin won over his communist challenger.

• The economy in Russia continues to slide.

• Supporters of Yeltsin are now shifting sides.

• As per the treaty of Maastricht European countries have committed to co-ordinate their economic policies.

• Three stages were to be completed for the beginning of a monetary union (January 1999).

• There are differences of opinion regarding this amongst the European nations.

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Index

6.0 - Introduction
6.1 North Atlantic Treaty Organization
6.2 The Collapse of Communism in Russia
6.3 Decolonization
6.4 European Monetary Union
6.5 The Re-Unification of Germany
6.6 Points to Remember

Chapter 1