Origins of the Cold War Analysis

"At the present moment in world history, nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life. One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty... The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority."

"The Marshall Plan is a device for interfering in the domestic affairs of other countries. It aims at creating a bloc of countries dependent on American capital and serving as a weapon of American political and economic penetration."

The North Atlantic Treaty (1949)

Preamble: The Parties to this Treaty reaffirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments. They are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage, and civilization of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. They seek to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area.

Article 5: The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all; and consequently, they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defense recognized by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.

Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance (Warsaw Pact, 1955)

Preamble: The contracting parties, Reaffirming their desire for the establishment of a system of European collective security which would make it possible to unite the efforts of European states in safeguarding the peace of Europe, Considering, in connection with the conclusion of the Paris Agreements, which envisage the formation of a new military group in the shape of the "Western European Union" together with the remilitarization of Western Germany and the integration of the latter into the North Atlantic bloc, that the said Agreements increase the danger of another war and create a threat to the national security of peace-loving states, Have agreed as follows:

Article 4: In the event of an armed attack in Europe on one or more of the States Parties to the Treaty by any state or group of states, each State Party to the Treaty, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, shall immediately, either individually or in agreement with other States Parties, render the attacked State Party all the military and other assistance in its power.