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Study the following carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The smaller states in the alliances used the link to the super powers 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 organisation 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?

 

Answer:

(i) Most countries of Western Europe joined US as western alliance and those of Eastern Europe joined the Soviet camp as eastern alliance.

(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.