University of West Bohemia in Pilsen
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for academic year 2025/2026
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Course: NATO and the Warsaw Pact in the context of the Cold War

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Course title NATO and the Warsaw Pact in the context of the Cold War
Course code KHV/NVSM
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Plánička Vladimír, PhDr. Ph.D.
  • Holešovský Václav, doc. PhDr. Ph.D.
Course content
1) introduction 2) origins of NATO 3) origins of the Warsaw Pact 4) development of internal structures of NATO and the Warsaw Pact 5) crises of NATO and the Warsaw Pact in the 1960s - I 6) crises of NATO and the Warsaw Pact in the 1960s - II 7) Warsaw Pact as a tool for the management of the Soviet Bloc 8) changes in military strategy of NATO and the Warsaw Pact 9) political role of NATO and the Warsaw Pact in the Cold War - I 10) political role of NATO and the Warsaw Pact in the Cold War - II 11) military lagging and doctrinal changes of the Warsaw Pact in the 1980s 12) dissolution of the Warsaw Pact

Learning activities and teaching methods
  • Contact hours - 26 hours per semester
  • Preparation for an examination (30-60) - 52 hours per semester
prerequisite
Knowledge
to describe the most important events of world history in the second half of the 20th century
to describe on the basic level history of NATO and the Warsaw Pact, their role in the Cold War and differences between both organizations
Skills
to use electronic information resources
Competences
N/A
learning outcomes
Knowledge
to describe reasons and circumstances of creation of the NATO and the Warsaw Pact
to characterize the purpose of existance of NATO and the Warsaw Pact and their machanisms
to characterize the main differences in the scheme and activities of NATO and the Warsaw Pact
Skills
to reflect critically the scientific literature to the NATO and Warsaw Pact history
to interpret both political and military role of NATO and the Warsaw Pact
to interpret reasons why the Warsaw Pact was dissolved while NATO survived after the Cold War
Competences
N/A
teaching methods
Knowledge
Lecture supplemented with a discussion
Self-study of literature
Skills
Lecture supplemented with a discussion
Self-study of literature
Competences
Lecture supplemented with a discussion
Self-study of literature
assessment methods
Knowledge
Oral exam
Skills
Oral exam
Competences
Oral exam
Recommended literature
  • Bílý, Matěj. Varšavská smlouva 1969-1985: vrchol a cesta k zániku. Praha: Ústav pro studium totalitních režimů, 2016.
  • Bílý, Matěj. Varšavská smlouva 1985-1991: dezintegrace a rozpad. raha: Ústav pro studium totalitních režimů, 2021.
  • Crump, Laurien. The Warsaw Pact Reconsidered. International Relations in Eastern Europe, 1955-1969. London; New York: Routledge, 2015.
  • Diedrich, Torsten - Heinemann, Winfried - Ostermann, Christian (Hgs.). Der Warschauer Pakt. Von der Gründung bis zum Zusammenbruch 1955 bis 1991. Berlin: Links, 2009.
  • Fidler, J., Mareš, P. Dějiny NATO. Praha [etc.] : Paseka, 1997. ISBN 80-7185-145-0.
  • Heiss, Marry Ann - Papacosma, Victor (eds.). NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Intrabloc Conflicts. Kent: Kent State University, 2008.
  • Heuser, Beatrice. Warsaw Pact Military Doctrine in the 1970s and 1980s: Findings in the East German Archives. Comparative Strategy, 1993, vol. 12, pp. 437-451.
  • Kramer, Mark. Warsaw Pact Military Planning in Central Europe: Revelations From the East German Archives. CWIHP Bulletin, 1992, vol. 2, pp. 1, 13-19.
  • Krč, Miroslav. Vojenské výdaje v letech studené války a po jejím skončení. Praha : Ústav mezinárodních vztahů, 2000. ISBN 80-85864-93-2.
  • Luňák, Petr. Plánování nemyslitelného: československé válečné plány 1950-1990. Praha: Dokořán, 2019.
  • Mastny, Vojtech - Byrne, Malcolm (eds.). A Cardboard Castle? An inside History of the Warsaw Pact. New York: CEU Press, 2005.
  • Mastny, Vojtech - Holtsmark, Sven - Wenger, Andreas (eds.). War Plans and Alliances in the Cold War. London: Routledge, 2006.
  • Mastný, Vojtech. Pražský puč v únoru 1948 a počátky Severoatlantického paktu. Soudobé dějiny 1998, č. 2-3, s. 247-256.
  • Umbach, Frank. Das rote Bündnis. Entwicklung und Zerfall des Warschauer Paktes 1955-1991. Berlin: Ch. Links Verlag, 1996.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, date of update: 23.04.2025 23:52. Data created for academic year 2025/2026