and evaluate the impact of its policies up to 2000
During the Cold War, NATO the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed. An intergovernmental military alliance of various nations in Europe and the United States, NATO consisted of two policies that would influence international relations from 1949- 2000. With the Warsaw pact, the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty, the Rome Summit and the Kosovo crisis all involving NATO interference/influence one can critically examine the impact of its policies of collective security and relaxing tensions between the two superpowers and alliances as proof of its positive impact.
NATO was formed on the fourth of April 1949, when the United States signed the treaty that would form one of the worlds most powerful alliances. With the Americans fear of soviet intervention in the West, NATO was formed shortly after the Berlin Blockade and the Truman Doctrine. This alliance solidified a security umbrella over Europe and further separated the two with the iron curtain.
One of NATOs major principles was to maintain adequate military strength and political unity to deter aggression and other forms (Spearhead Newspaper). United against communism, NATO led a common commitment to protection and collective security across international borders. NATO contained 12 North American and European countries, and excluded any nations that were within the Soviet sphere of influence.
When the USSR suggested they should join NATO in 1954, this created a ripple effect within NATO members. NATO countries believed their motive would weaken their alliance, and swiftly rejected their proposal. The following year when West Germany entered NATO, Soviets complained that German rearmaments would make reunification impossible and this outrage spiraled into the formation of the Warsaw Pact.
The Soviets argued that NATO violated the principles of the United Nations and was an aggressive alliance towards them and Eastern Europe resulting in the Warsaw Pact being formed in 1955. The Warsaw Pact was known as an anti-NATO pact, as it signatories agreed to assist any co-signatory that was the victim of aggression from the Anita Wu West. The resulting Soviet alliance proved the dangerous impacts of NATOs collective security objective and only furthered tensions between the two superpowers, pushing the others closer to the possibility of a war.
Furthermore, NATOs other principle was to pursue a policy aimed at a relaxation of tensions between the East & West (Spearhead Newspaper). This was a fundamental policy that focused on general military strength and had a dtente approach to foreign affairs. During the 1970s, a softening of tensions was seen between the two superpowers. Under the influence of NATO & the Warsaw Pact, the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty confirmed the control of arms between the two. NATO argued that their nuclear sharing arrangements met the treaty as the US forces controlled the weapons and subsequently the treaty was signed on 1 st July 1969. This treaty demonstrated that the matching defenses between the two further deterred the possibility of an arms race securing NATOs two principles: maintaining security and pursuing dtente.
During the 1980s, the blazing fuse between the two superpowers was reignited, and tensions flared between NATO and the Warsaw Pact respectively. With the star wars taking place, Reagans presidential reign and Margaret Thatcher coming to power the approach to dtente took a new dynamic that threatened the possibility of relaxing tensions. However when the USSR dissolved in the 1990s NATO lost its initial incentive, and in regards to maintaining international peace expanded membership towards Eastern Europe.
In 1991, the Rome Summit allowed the co-operation between Central and Eastern European countries unification into NATO. US President, Bill Clinton stated that this summit allowed, the veil of hostility between East and West [to be] lifted (BBC News), and this was certified when Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland became NATO members. Russia was given a voice but no veto (BBC News), and consequently NATOS borders moved an estimated 400 miles eastwards erasing the iron curtain permanently. The transition between the 1980s and 1990s provides solid evidence that NATO sufficiently aided political stability and strong economic progress that would deter any possible aggression sustaining international peace after the Cold War.
Additionally, the Kosovo Crisis in 1999 demonstrated the beneficial impacts of NATOs collective security policy. In an attempt to stop the Federal Republic of Yugoslavias Anita Wu aggressive attacks, Operation Allied Force (an 11 week bombing campaign) advocated NATOs first military engagement. During the crisis, NATO deployed the ACE Mobile Force, which delivered humanitarian aid to refugees in Kosovo. When Yugoslavian leader, Slobodan Milosevic agreed to NATOs demands and agreed to UN Resolution 1244 the conflict ended on 11 th June 1999. NATOs participation in the Kosovo crisis, demonstrated the sufficient implementation of the fundamental principles. Collaboratively working with the UN, NATO was able to prevent further conflict, manage a crisis, and collectively secure a nation that was under an unprovoked aggressive attack.
In conclusion, despite the threats NATO imposed on international relations with the Warsaw Pact forming, it is evident that NATO was successful in executing their policies set forth in 1978. Though originally NATO was formed as a safety net for the allies to repel any form of aggression and to safeguard their freedom (BBC News) it is apparent that during the Cold War and with events such as The Rome Summit (1991) and the Kosovo Crisis (1999) NATO also efficiently assured collective security across international borders despite Cold War tensions. NATOs role during the Cold War proved that their policies were successful as they were able to act as a defensive body and also actively promote peace and stability during and after the Cold War.
Works Cited MacClay, Jim. "Our Purpose in Europe." Spearhead Newspaper 12 Apr. 1976. The Purpose of NATO during the Cold War. Web. 5 Jan. 2012. <http://www.3ad.com/history/cold.war/nato.mission.htm>.
"NATO's Cold War Roots." BBC News, 3 Aug. 1991. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/325388.stm>.