Long read: The World’s Most Successful Alliance — 70 years of freedom
In its 70th year, we look back at the foundations of freedom and the role the UK Armed Forces have played in it.
It is often said that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded in response to the threat posed by the Soviet Union. This is only partially true. In fact, the Alliance’s creation was part of a broader effort to serve three purposes: deterring Soviet expansionism, forbidding the revival of nationalist militarism in Europe through a strong North American presence on the continent, and encouraging European political integration.
The aftermath of World War II saw much of Europe devastated in a way that is now difficult to envision. Approximately 36.5 million Europeans had died in the conflict, 19 million of them civilians. Refugee camps and rationing dominated daily life. In some areas, infant mortality rates were one in four. Millions of orphans wandered the burnt-out shells of former metropolises. In the German city of Hamburg alone, half a million people were homeless.
In addition, Communists aided by the Soviet Union were threatening elected governments across Europe. In February 1948, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, with covert backing from the Soviet Union, overthrew the democratically elected government in that country. Then, in reaction to the democratic consolidation of West Germany, the Soviets blockaded Allied-controlled West Berlin in a bid to consolidate their hold on the German capital. The heroism of the Berlin Airlift provided future Allies with some solace, but privation remained a grave threat to freedom and stability.
In this article we look at the 9 biggest moments in NATO’s history.
1. 1949 — The North Atlantic Treaty is signed
After much discussion, the North Atlantic Treaty was signed on 4th April, 1949 committing the founding states to freedom and security. The Treaty’s most prominent aspect, Article 5, stated that:
“an armed attack against one or more of them…shall be considered an attack against them all”.
2. 1952 — British decorated military officer, Lord Ismay is appointed as NATO’s first Secretary General.
Also in 1952, Greece and Turkey joined the alliance, followed by West Germany in 1955. In reaction to NATO being formed, the Soviet Union and its Eastern European client states formed the Warsaw Pact in 1955, settling Europe into an uneasy stand-off.
3. 1960s, uneasy changes were afoot.
Amidst the construction of the Berlin Wall, the Cold War’s tensions re-ignited when the USA and Soviet Union narrowly avoided open conflict in Cuba, and American involvement in Vietnam escalated. With this, NATO developed a new purpose — détente. A relaxation of the ongoing tensions between the Western and Eastern blocs. During this decade, NATO moved its headquarters to Brussels, Belgium in October 1967, where it calls home now.
4. 1970s — Afghanistan
In 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. NATO member countries deployed soldiers, in the hope of achieving peace in the region.
5. 1980s — The Cold War
The United States and Soviet Union signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 1987, banning the use of all nuclear and ground-based missiles. Now, we look at this as the beginning of the Cold War coming to an end.
6. 1990s — Partner nations and Yugoslavia
NATO increased its reach in the 1990s, when it established the North Atlantic Cooperation Council and Mediterranean Dialogue. These agreements and forums paved the way for new relations with dozens of nations, without them joining NATO as a full member.
The collapse of Communism gave way to a repellent rise of nationalism and ethnic violence, particularly in the former Yugoslavia.
Allies hesitated to intervene in what was seen as a civil war at first. It then became more obvious of the brutal ethnic cleansing behind it, leading NATO to intervene. A force of 60,000 soldiers from across NATO countries was sent to Yugoslavia in December to enforce to put an end to the atrocities going on in the country.
By the end of 1998, over 300,000 Kosovar Albanians had fled their homes due to the conflict. NATO conducted air strikes and a multinational peacekeeping force entered Kosovo to end ethnic cleansing in the region. Today the UK contributes to the NATO-led Kosovo Force which are still deployed to maintain a safe and secure environment.
7. 2000s — 11 September 2001
The 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon showed Allies that disorder and war across the globe could cause consequences at home.
For the first time in its history, NATO invoked Article 5 (one for all and all for one.). The al-Qaida terrorist group had used Afghanistan as a base to export violence, hate and death. Further attacks across the world, including that on the public transport system of London on 7th July 2005, showed the world that these violent extremists aimed to target civilian populations first.
In response, a coalition of nations, including a number of NATO Allies intervened in Afghanistan in the autumn of 2001. The goal of the mission, Operation Enduring Freedom, was to deny al-Qaida a home in Afghanistan. Following the defeat of the Al-Qaida supporting Taliban regime, the UN Security Council deployed an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to the country. This force aimed to help stabilise the country so that peace could be seen in Afghanistan again. In August 2003, NATO took over command and coordination of the ISAF.
Meanwhile, NATO continued to accept new members and build new partnerships. The NATO-Russia Council was created in 2002 so that Allies and Russia could work as equal partners on a variety of issues.
Former Warsaw Pact members (the Soviet Union’s rival to NATO) joined the organisation as member countries. These countries were Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania in 2004, and Croatia and Albania in 2009.
8. 2010s — Afghanistan showed the Allies that military power alone is not enough to ensure peace and stability.
Keeping the peace has become as difficult as making the peace in the first place. For instance, much of the world’s attention in 2011 was focused on the crisis in Libya where NATO played a crucial role in helping to protect civilians under attack from their own government. Doing nothing was simply not possible when compared with the level of violence used by the Libyan security forces.
9. It’s about preparing for the unexpected.
Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and further aggressive actions against Ukraine have been a reminder of the importance of NATO’s core task: collective defence. The on-going conflict in Syria and rise of ISIL and home-grown terrorism have both been real reminders of the importance of NATO across the Atlantic.
Since NATO was formed in 1949, the UK has taken a leading role. In the 21st century, NATO faces an ever-growing number of new threats.
The UK Armed Forces and NATO continuously train and prepare for threats now and in the future.
Alone we are capable, but together we are stronger.
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