TIMELINE OF...NATO

With the Soviet threat looming over Europe, the United States moves to contain Moscow's influence with a new and more potent alliance between the continent's leading democracies

Frontline

2 February 1946

THE LONG TELEGRAM

Just months after the end of World War II the American ambassador in Moscow, George Kennan, sends a report to the State Department explaining the Kremlin’s expansionist ideology. To oppose growing Soviet influence and power Kennan argues it’s vitally important to uphold democratic ideals in the West.

4 April 1949

01. NATO IS BORN

Eager to strengthen collective security in Western Europe, the representatives of 12 countries – including Iceland and Denmark – meet in Washington DC and sign the founding documents of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

1950-53

02 . THE KOREAN WAR

Although the war never involves the NATO alliance, the invasion of South Korea on 25 June 1950 galvanises the member countries to send forces under a United Nations mandate. China and the Soviet Union become directly involved and hostilities continue until the ceasefire on 27 July 1953.

October – November 1956

03. HUNGARY FALLS