Topic 4: The Evolution of the Atlantic Alliance during the Cold War

Question 1

Western European Union (1955)

Answer 1

Brussels Treaty (BT) remains in force, although the institutionalization of cooperation within NATO.
Incompatibility between NATO vs. Brussels Treaty
Failure of European Defence Community
UK proposals to reform Brussels Treaty: triangulation.
Two options before Brussels Treaty reform:
* Becoming the core of the European defence
* Becoming just a framework to integrate GFR in Western defence

Question 2

Western European Union (1955):
Paris Agreements (1954): 4 protocols reforming Brussels Treaty

Answer 2

Protocol I: creation of the Western European Union
Protocol II: restructuration WEU military forces
Protocol III: arms control
Protocol IV: creation Agency for the Control of Armaments

Question 3

Western European Union (1955)

MS constrain and limit the field of action of WEU to only 4 areas:

Answer 3

Finally, MS decided to constrain and limit the field of action of WEU (1957) to only 4 areas:

* Establishment of the level of MS armed forces.
* To keep British troops in continental Europe.
* Agency for the Control of Armaments
* Dealing with foreign affairs issues

Question 4

Western European Union (1955)

what were the progressive loss of functions by WEU in favour of other international organizations?

Answer 4

Progressive loss of functions by WEU in favour of other international organizations:

* As a tool of collective defense in favour of NATO
* As a tool of social and cultural cooperation in favour of the Council of Europe
* As a tool of economic cooperation in favour of the European Communities
* As a tool of political dialogue in favour of the European Political Cooperation.

Question 5

GFR membership into NATO (1955)

Answer 5

Favourable (military + political) context for GFR rearmament
3 options on the table:
* To create a West German federal police equipped enough
* To invite GFR to join NATO (integrated forces with the Alliance)
* To create a European army that would include GFR soldiers (EDC)

Paris Agreements (1954)
* End GFR occupation status
* Occupied powers keep their troops in GFR soil (but under new status)
* Creation of a GFR army (called Bundeswehr– 1955)
* GFR joins NATO
Entry into force of Paris Agreements in 1955: GFR becomes a new NATO member state.

Question 6

NATO crisis: De Gaulle

Answer 6

De Gaulle threatens with NATO withdrawal if several demands are not fulfilled:
* French control of the Mediterranean
* Change in the balance of NATO Chiefs of Staff
NATO declines French demands + France withdraws from NATO integrated military structure (1966).
Gaulle separates the Alliance from NATO. Gaulle distinguishes 2 periods regarding NATO-French relations:
* 1949-69: “we adhere to the Washington Treaty principles, but not to joint work”.
* Post-1969: trend towards bilateralism between France-rest of MS
Outcome: “unfolding” of the Alliance. NATO (political) vs. NATO+France (military).

Question 7

Eurogroup (1968)

Answer 7

Informal meetings of Defence Ministers of European NATO MS.

* Members: all European MS except France, Portugal + Iceland.
* Methodology: technical cooperation + political consultations
* European Defence Improvement Program (1970)
* Eurogroup finishes in 1993

Question 8

Euromissile crisis (1979-1987)

Answer 8

Background: in 70s, USSR deploys nuclear missiles at CEEC
1977: GFR demands US to negotiate an agreement with the Soviets + the deployment in Western Europe of nuclear missiles that may counterbalance the Soviet ones.
Negotiating positions (began 1981):
* Reagan “Zero Option” (Soviet refused it)
* Soviet counterproposal: to include at Reagan’s Zero Option the British + French nuclear arsenal as well (US refused it)

Soviets break with the negotiations in 1983 + NATO deploys its missiles.

The crisis ended in 1987 with the signature of the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty between US + USSR.