Topic 3: The creation of the Atlantic Alliance

Question 1

Dunkirk Treaty

Answer 1

Treaty of Alliance + Mutual Assistance between the UK and France (1947): highly automatized mutual defense mechanism in case of threat or actual German aggression, as well as economic consultations and mutual alliance

Question 2

Brussels Treaty

Answer 2

Treaty of economic, social + cultural collaboration & collective self-defence (1948): multilateral pact of collective defence (enlargement of Dunkirk Treaty to Benelux). It goes beyond protection against German threat + creation of a regional security organization (Western Union):

* First collective security defence treaty in Western Europe
* Organization under an intergovernmental structure
* First step to achieve a “Western democratic system”

Question 3

Vandenberg Resolution

Answer 3

1948 - allowing US to sign defence treaties

• French psychological pressure (triangulation France-US-Germany)
• US constitutional problem to sign defensive multilateral pacts in peace time.
• Senate resolution allows to sign these kind of pacts
• That resolution will open the door for a next negotiation about the Washington treaty.

Question 4

North Atlantic Treaty (1949)

aka Washington Treaty

Answer 4

• forms the legal basis of, and is implemented by, the North Atlantic Treaty Org. (NATO).
• 12 founding member states
• first Transatlantic defense pact. It doesn’t create any kind of organization (just an alliance)
  
  • Defensive pact
  • It can only intervene in the territories of its Member States

Question 5

North Atlantic Treaty: Article 5 (1949)

Answer 5

• cornerstone of NATO
• states that an attack on one member of NATO is an attack on all of its members.
• not automatic
• deemed necessary
• collective defence

Question 6

NATO (1951-55): Functions

Answer 6

• Important: North Atlantic Treaty ≠ NATO. Conference of the Atlantic Council (1951) decides to create a legal personality for the Treaty.
• Military-Political organisation
• promote collective defence + maintain peace + security
• Political consultations
• Defence, military and arms cooperation:
  
  • Massive Retaliation strategy
  • Flexible Response strategy

Question 7

NATO (1951-55): Structure

Answer 7

Civil structure:

* North Atlantic Council (NAC). Decisions by unanimity. 
* Nuclear Planning Committee (since 1966): NATO nuclear doctrine consultative process.

Integrated military structure:

* Military Committee (NATO top military authority)
* Military commands divided in 3 great areas:
    * SACEUR (Supreme Allied Commander Europe; all mainland Europe except Portugal, Iceland + UK). 
    * + others * NATO does not have its own military forces