Washington, D.C., 1949
In response to growing Soviet threats, Western nations united to form the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), pledging collective defense against aggression.
Key figures like Harry S. Truman and Winston Churchill championed this alliance, aiming to deter Soviet expansion in Europe.
The treaty established a system where an attack on one member would be considered an attack on all.
NATO symbolized Western solidarity, military cooperation, and a strategic shift in Cold War politics.
Its formation escalated tensions but also provided security that helped stabilize postwar Europe.