How did NATO affect the cold war?

Answer 1

The foundation of NATO in 1949, then its activities and expansion in the decades that followed, affected the Cold War in a curiously double-sided fashion. On the one hand, it served as a minimizing factor, since it provided unity and strength to 'free' Europe, which deterred significant aggression from Communist-dominated Europe. On the other hand, it also increased tensions in the Cold War: its growing strength was matched by a strength build-up in the other half of Europe, while conflicts in other parts of the world, where the Cold War's basic opponents sought to gain further allies and control, erupted partly due to the ongoing stalemate in Europe itself.

Answer 2

The foundation of NATO in 1949, then its activities and expansion in the decades that followed, affected the Cold War in a curiously double-sided fashion. On the one hand, it served as a minimizing factor, since it provided unity and strength to 'free' Europe, which deterred significant aggression from Communist-dominated Europe. On the other hand, it also increased tensions in the Cold War: its growing strength was matched by a strength build-up in the other half of Europe, while conflicts in other parts of the world, where the Cold War's basic opponents sought to gain further allies and control, erupted partly due to the ongoing stalemate in Europe itself.