Nato Established and Developed

Twelve countries joined NATO at the start. The key elements of the treaty were that:

These points were meant to deter any attack and to ensure efficient military co-operation.

The addition of Italy meant that NATO was more than just an agreement between the Atlantic powers; Italy was seen as important in stopping the spread of communism southwards.

NATO was strengthened by firmer agreements between the USA and each member in 1950, by the addition of Greece and Turkey in 1952 and by West Germany’s membership in 1955.

Between 1950 and 1953 the Korean War showed the importance of efficient organisation for multinational forces; therefore SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) was set up near Paris. At this difficult point of the Cold War it was recognised that the forces aiming to defend western Europe needed to increase fourfold to provide security against a Russian attack; and five divisions of the US Army were to be stationed permanently in Germany as a sign of America’s commitment to Europe’s defence.

NATO appeared to be strengthened by the creation of parallel organisations in other regions. SESATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation, 1954) and CENTO (Central Treaty Organisation, 1959 – replacing the Baghdad Pact of 1955) were both similarly directed against the communist states and aimed to unite weaker capitalist countries under US protection. They were never as cohesive or convincing as NATO, however, and no longer have any effective role to play.

Later developments have included the need to cope with France’s temporary withdrawal from NATO in 1966, when President de Gaulle objected to placing French troops and nuclear weapons under foreign control. In 1979 NATO decided that by 1983 it would site over 500 Pershing and cruise missiles in Europe, as a response to the growth in numbers of Soviet nuclear weapons. This marked an escalation in a highly expensive arms race, which increasingly crippled the Soviet economy and arguably led to the collapse of communism in the USSR and Europe in the late 1980s. (GCSE Modern History Review Hindsight, Volume 11, Number 2, January 2001)

Определите, являются ли следующие утверждения истинными или ложными:

1. NATO deployed troops on a real combat mission in 1999. 2. NATO was an attempt to join western European states together with the USSR. 3. Comecon was formed by Russia to rival the Brussels Defence Treaty. 4. There were 12 countries who joined NATO at the start. 5. Greece and Italy became NATO members in 1952. 6. In 1960 France withdrew from NATO permanently.

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Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. Why was NATO created? 2. What was the essence of the Marshall Plan? 3. Why did the world appear a dangerous place in 1949? 4. How did NATO develop? 5. What marked an escalation in the arms race?

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