The North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Essay by Shel68University, Bachelor'sA+, November 2006

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND..........2

ORIGINS.........4

CREATION..........6

MEMBERSHIP.......7

PURPOSE..........10

STRUCTURES.......12

Political structure......12

Military structure.......14

NATO EXPANSIONS......15

Procedure...................15

Possible NATO Expansion.........16

BIBLIOGRAPHY...........16

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The end of World War II marked a new period in history. By 1945, the European continent had endured over 6 years of destructive fighting which had tremendously negative effects on its landscape. Agricultural lands were rendered useless, housing and industrial infrastructures destroyed and many cities erased to the ground. Europe's economy as a whole was deeply affected as the war had exhausted much of the continent's resources. The morale of Europeans was at an all time low and the political situation was rather weak.

The allied troops were quickly demobilized after the defeat of Nazi Germany in most part due to social and economic pressures. According to NATO Facts and Figures, the number of Allied forces on European grounds dropped from five millions in 1945 to 880,000 by 1946 with the majority of these going back to the United States.

The withdrawal of American soldiers from European grounds was unnerving for many citizens who perceived their presence as a reassurance. This phenomenon was also alarming for governmental officials "as it became clear that the Soviet leadership intended to maintain its own military forces at full strength" (NATO Handbook). Soviet war industries were also kept running. Russia and the Allies had, for the duration of the war, established a relationship based on cooperation. A military alliance was necessary if the defeat of Germany which was to be achieved. Russia proceeded to liberate most of the Eastern European countries from German occupation.

By February 1945, the USSR had already gained the majority of control over the Balkan States through the Yalta conference. It wasn't long after the end of the war that the Soviet plan for these areas...