The signing of the Warsaw Pact

May 14, 1955

The Soviet Union retaliates to West Germany's membership in NATO by founding a mutual defence treaty called the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, commonly known as the "Warsaw Pact". Eight Soviet states, including East Germany, subscribe to the Treaty. From this point Warsaw Pact countries and NATO states work to increase their influence within the wider context of the Cold War, although they never directly wage war against one another.