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East Germany becomes a member of the Warsaw Treaty Organization.
West Germany is granted full independence and membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) defense system.
Khrushchev visits India. The Soviet Union begins an aid program to India.
The U-2 spy plane which has the capacity to fly above the Soviet Union out of the range of Soviet air defense, is created. The United States also launches a research program to develop reconnaissance satellites capable of observing the U.S.S.R. from outer space.
Egypt refuses to join the Baghdad Pact. This is a treaty signed by Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Pakistan, and supported by the United Kingdom and the United States with the intention of countering the threat of Soviet/Communist expansion in the Middle East.
Iraq signs the Baghdad Pact, a mutual-security treaty with Turkey. The United Kingdom, Pakistan and Iran sign the pact in the following months. The United States joins the Baghdad Pact as an Observer.
The Bandung Conference, a meeting of representatives of 29 African and Asian nations, is held at Bandung, Indonesia. China plays a major role in the conference, strengthening its friendly relations with other Asian nations. The aim of the conference is to promote economic and cultural cooperation amoung the Asian nations. Dissatisfaction was also raised against what is seen as the reluctance of Western powers to consult them on decisions affecting Asia.
Delegates from 29 nations attend the Bandung (Indonesia) Afro-Asian Conference, which is dominated by Nehru of India, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, and Sukarno of Indonesia. The aim of the conference is to promote economic and cultural cooperation amoung the Asian nations. Dissatisfaction is also raised against what is seen as the reluctance of Western powers to consult them on decisions affecting Asia.
The Warsaw Pact, a "Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance" is signed by the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Albania.
Read the text of the Warsaw Pact.
The
Warsaw Pact
is formed. It calls for the mutual defense of Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Soviet Union.
 President Eisenhower announces his "open skies" proposal in which the United States and the Soviet Union are to exchange blueprints of all military installations. They are also to allow the other side to conduct unhindered aerial reconnaissance. Khrushchev denounces the plan. Tension mounts between the two nations.
More information on President Eisenhower.
Pictures of President Eisenhower.
The Soviet Union and the Western powers hold the first of several summit conferences in Geneva, Switzerland, to address the key issues of the Cold War and to restore mutual trust between the countries. These issues include German reunification, the danger of nuclear attacks, and cultural and economic exchange. No conclusions are reached.
Egypt buys arms from Communist Czechoslovakia to boost up its military strength. This takes place after a surprise attack by the Israeli army in February.
Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Britain and Pakistan establish the Middle East Treaty Organization.
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