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The Washington Treaty

The North Atlantic Alliance was founded on the basis of a Treaty (Washington Treaty 1949) between
member states that upholds their individual rights as well as their international obligations in
accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. It commits each member country to sha ring the
risks and responsibilities as well as the benefits of collective security and requires of each of them not
to enter into any other international commitment which might conflict with the Treaty. The signing of
the Washington Treaty brought into being a common security system based on a partnership among
the 12 signatory nations.

The Brussels Treaty was signed in March of 1948. Following its signing, negotiations with the United
States and Canada followed with the objective of creating a single North Atlantic Alliance based on
security guarantees and mutual commitments between Europe and North America. As you have also
seen in the previous lesson, the five European nations of Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Norway and
Portugal were invited by the Brussels Treaty powers to become participants in this process.
You are encouraged strongly to read each paragraph of the Treaty ...

Look in particular at Articles 4 and 5, which are the key to understanding the fundamental
principles that characterize cooperation within the Alliance. Article 4 is the basis for political
consultation among the member countries, underpinning the concept of joint security. Article 5
formalizes the concept of collective defense and establishes the principle that a threat to one
member country is a threat to all. Examine also Article 10, which is the basis for the enlargement
of the Alliance.

Countries signing Washington Treaty


US President Harry Truman addresses the Washington
Summit prior to the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on
April 4, 1949. Seated are the foreign ministers of the 12
signatory nations.

Mr. PaulHenri Spaak


(Minister of Foreign
Affairs) signs the NATO
Treaty for Belgium.

Mr. Lester Pearson


(Minister of Foreign
Affairs) signs the NATO
Treaty for Canada.

Mr. Bjarni Benediksson


(Minister of Foreign
Affairs) signs the NATO
Treaty for Iceland.

Mr. Count Carlo Sforza Mr. Joseph Bech (Minister Mr. Dirk Stikker (Minister
(Minister of Foreign
of Foreign Affairs) signs of Foreign Affairs) signs
Affairs) signs the NATO
the NATO Treaty for
the NATO Treaty for The
Treaty for Italy.
Luxembourg.
Netherlands.

Mr. Halvard Lange


(Minister of Foreign
Affairs) signs the NATO
Treaty for Norway.

Mr. Jos Caeiro da Matta


(Minister of Foreign
Affairs) signs the NATO
Treaty for Portugal.

Mr. Gustav Rasmussen


(Minister of Foreign
Affairs) signs the NATO
Treaty for Denmark.

Mr. Robert Schuman


(Minister of Foreign
Affairs) signs the NATO
Treaty for France.

Mr. Ernest Bevin


Mr. Dean Acheson
(Minister of Foreign
(Secretary of State) signs
Affairs) signs the NATO the NATO Treaty for the
Treaty for the United
United States.

Kingdom.

In his brief remarks at the signing ceremony, US President Harry S. Truman (seen standing to the
right of Secretary of State Dean Acheson in the last photograph) said the treaty ... would create a
shield against aggression and fear of aggression a bulwark which will permit us to get on with the
real business of ... achieving a fuller and happier life for all of our citizens. This was a sentiment
shared by the other signatories.
What impact do you think the NATO Treaty ...

Pay particular attention to the language used in this treaty.

Does it specify actions to be taken by nations?


To what does it commit the nations to do?
Does the treaty allow nations' flexibility in the manner in which they work together?

The Washington Treaty

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