What is NATO?
One of the most important consequences of the Berlin Airlift Crisis was the formation of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation).
It was formed and signed on April 1949. It meant that, IF ONE MEMBER COUNTRY WAS ATTACKED, ALL THE OTHERS WOULD JOIN TO DEFEND IT.
12 countries signed the treaty:
USA, Canada, Britain, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Italy, Norway, Iceland, Portugal, Denmark, Greece and Turkey.
Stalin saw this as incredibly aggressive. He felt as if he was being 'ganged up' on!
It was formed and signed on April 1949. It meant that, IF ONE MEMBER COUNTRY WAS ATTACKED, ALL THE OTHERS WOULD JOIN TO DEFEND IT.
12 countries signed the treaty:
USA, Canada, Britain, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Italy, Norway, Iceland, Portugal, Denmark, Greece and Turkey.
Stalin saw this as incredibly aggressive. He felt as if he was being 'ganged up' on!
The Significance of NATO
NATO was the first peacetime military alliance in US history. Its creation showed that the USA was willing to stand up to Soviet aggression.
Permanent American bases were established in Western Europe. Some of these hosted B52 bombers which were capable of holding nuclear weapons.
Permanent American bases were established in Western Europe. Some of these hosted B52 bombers which were capable of holding nuclear weapons.