Describe any three features of the Soviet system.

Or

What circumstance compelled the super-powers to have military alliances with smaller countries? Describe.

The Features:

(i) The Soviet political system centered around the communist party and no other political party was allowed.

(ii) Economy was planned and controlled by the state. State ownership was the dominant form of ownership: land and productive assets were owned and controlled by the Soviet state.

(iii) It had a domestic, consumer industry that produced everything from pin to cars.The Soviet state ensured a minimum standard of living for all citizens,and the government subsidised basic necessities including health, education, child-care and other welfare schemes.
                                                                  Or
The smaller states were helpful for the superpowers in gaining access to:

(i) Vital resources such as oil or minerals

(ii) Territory, from where the superpowers could launch their weapons and troops.

(iii) Location from where they could spy on each other.

(iv) Economic support, in that many small allies together could to pay for military expenses.

(v) They were also important for ideological reasons.
(vi) The loyalty of allies suggested that the superpowers were winning the war of ideas also.