Standard Grade Modern Studies

Military Alliances- NATO -

Member countries

1952 Greece, Turkey

1955 Germany

1982 Spain

1999 Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland

Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia

Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom, United States

26 Member Countries

1999

1982

1955

1952

1949

2004

WHAT IS NATO?OVERVIEW

Member countries

What is NATO? After World War Two, USSR had ‘liberated most of Eastern Europe from the Nazis, but had replaced fascist ideas with

communist ideas. The countries of Eastern Europe effectively became “puppet” states of USSR.

Fear in the West of continued Soviet expansion.

So in 1949, a military alliance called NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) was formed between the USA, Canada and the nations of liberated Europe (15 countries).

Idea was that if any member country of NATO was attacked, was seen as an attack on the whole organisation.Was NATO a success?

After 1949, no further expansion of communism so can be argued that NATO was a success.

The Cold War

From 1945 - late 1980s, USA and its allies faced USSR and its allies across an Europe divided by the ideologies capitalism and communism.

Although the 2 ‘Superpowers’ had immense military power in the shape of nuclear weaponry, did not go to war directly with one another.

Instead, supported by their allies, they spied on each other, threatened each other, took each other to the brink of war.

This period, which lasted over 40 years, was called the COLD WAR.

The threat of all-out nuclear war between the two sides was prevented by the fear that there would be no winners in a nuclear war.

This stalemate was often called the ‘balance of terror’.

Why was there so much rivalry?The answer to this lay in the differing ideologies of the two sides.

Ideology based on CAPITALISM - linked to democracy.

Under capitalism, people have great individual freedom and choice to live and work as they want.

Many people could own their own businesses, become rich and enjoy a good lifestyle.

Vs

Ideology based on COMMUNISM.

Here the Government controlled every aspect of people’s lives - from farming to education etc.

There was no individual freedom, no free elections to change the government- only one political party - the Communist Party.

Why was there so much rivalry?

Both countries were convinced that their ideology was right and were frightened that the other would expand its influence over a wider area.

Both Superpowers built up alliances to strengthen their positions (The USSR started a similar alliance to NATO in 1955 - called the Warsaw Pact).

The threat of nuclear war was never far away through the 1950s - 1980s.

Why did the Cold War end?

From 1960s - 1980s, many attempts made by Us and USSR leaders to reduce development of nuclear weapons.

President Reagan elected in 1980 - took hard line with Soviets

Position changed in 1985 with election of charismatic Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev.

He wanted change. In his own country, developed policies of ‘Glasnost’ (freedom) and ‘Perestroika’ (economic freedom and flexibility)

Wanted his own country to improve and have more freedom - not interested in fighting an expensive Cold War.

Change and the Fall of Communism

Agreements were reached to reduce nuclear and conventional weapons between the 2 Superpowers.

Countries under the influence of the USSR began to change (wanted more freedom). Gorbachev encouraged this.

Series of revolutions swept across E Europe as communists removed from power and democratic elections held (eg. in Poland, Romania, Czechoslovakia etc.)

Ideological division which had split Europe was removed.

But people of USSR also wanted more freedom - various parts of USSR broke away and became independent countries (eg Ukraine)

USSR reverted to Russia - led to fall of Gorbachev and weakening of Russia as a Superpower.

NATO’s Changing RoleThe role of NATO has changed since the end of the Cold War

The new approach includes:

Less dependence on nuclear weapons.

More flexible forces which can take on a variety of tasks

Greater use of multinational forces.

Active involvement in international peacekeeping

More co-operation with organisations like the United Nations

Do We Still Need NATO?

Arguments FOR NATO formed to stop

communism which is no longer a powerful force

Cold War is over. United defence forces are based on out-of-date ideologies.

European countries should have their own alliances without relying on the USA.

Arguments AGAINST Russia could still

become unstable. Former Yugoslavia still

an area of possible future conflict - NATO might be needed to intervene.

NATO may be required to control actions of rogue states – countries like Iran

NATO is an organisation with power to combat world terrorism

Vs

The Future of NATO Some former members of the Eastern European communist block want to join NATO.

‘Partnership for Peace’ policy set up in 1994 to draw these countries closer to NATO

NATO forces of each member country have been reduced and reorganised - new tactics have made them more flexible to reponsive to crises.

USA, in the light of world terrorism, has realised that close ties are needed with Europe - particularly fast and flexible response.

Need for Europe to ‘police its own security’ without relying on NATO.

The Future of NATO Intention of EU to set up a ‘rapid reaction force’ of 60,000 troops to deal with security threats in Europe - humanitarian/rescue tasks, peacekeeping tasks etc.

NATO regards Russia as vital to European security. NATO now consults regularly with Russia on political and security issues like peacekeeping, nuclear safety etc.

The new relationship with Russia is seen by many as proof that NATO is concentrating on combatting international threats like world terrorism.

USA has tried to expand the role of Europe in NATO - no longer USA + ‘the rest’. The US is less involved in European events.

NATO has been enlarged from 18 to 26 members.