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NATO. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Military or defense alliance formed in 1949 by 12 countries in Western Europe and North America Original purpose – to protect its members from a possible attack from the Soviet Union (Containment)
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NATO • The North Atlantic Treaty Organization
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) • Military or defense alliance formed in 1949 by 12 countries in Western Europe and North America • Original purpose – to protect its members from a possible attack from the Soviet Union (Containment) • First peacetime alliance in U.S. history • An alliance of nations with shared values. All members are DEMOCRACIES • Has been the most important U.S. alliance for the past (almost) 60 years
NATO Treaty – 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…” • No NATO member was ever attacked during the Cold War – it never had to use its military forces • The first (and only) time a NATO member was attacked was… • September 11, 2001
Who is in NATO? • 1949 – 12 Original Members • U.S. Canada Britain • France Iceland Portugal • Belgium Netherlands Luxembourg • 1952 – A Little Farther from the North Atlantic (Demonstration of Truman Doctrine) • Greece Turkey • 1954 – A New Democracy • Germany • 1982 – Death of Fascist Dictator Franco • Spain
The Warsaw Pact • 1955 - The Soviet response to the creation of NATO • Consisted of the Soviet Union and its six satellite countries in Eastern Europe • East Germany • Poland • Hungary • Czechoslovakia • Bulgaria • Romania • The Warsaw Pact no longer exists
Eastward Expansion • As democracy spread throughout Eastern Europe, NATO is adding new members • 1999 – Three former Warsaw Pact members were admitted into NATO • Poland • Hungary • The Czech Republic • 2002 – Seven former communist states in Eastern Europe added • Estonia • Latvia • Lithuania • Slovenia • Slovakia • Bulgaria
2002 • How do you think Russia feels about this?
NATO-Russia Council • NATO-Russia Council • This was a RAPPROCHEMENT between NATO and Russia • May 2002 – Both sides signed an agreement • Russia WILL: • Be given a say at the table with the 26 NATO members • Be an “equal partner” in discussions on key topics
NATO-Russia Council • Russia WILL NOT: • Be a member of NATO • Be bound by NATO’s defense pact • Have a veto over NATO’s decisions • Have a vote over NATO’s expansion