Dutch Perspective on NATO Development during the Korean War.

摘要

Between 1945 and 1949, a pattern of mistrust developed between the communist block and the Free Western World. To counter the threat of communism, the United States and 15 of its allies decided to organize a mutual security pact. With the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on April 4, 1949, NATO was established. The United States adopted the Mutual Defense Assistance Program, providing the bulk of military equipment to NATO members. The Korean War gave an impulse to further the development of NATO. The member countries tried to use the time frame from 1950 until 1954 to bolster the defensive power of the alliance. NATO created the Supreme Allied Commander Europe as a unified command, under General Dwight D. Eisenhower. NATO also expanded to include Greece and Turkey as new members. The discussion about potential German re-armament and membership proved to be a source of tension. The Netherlands tried to pursue specific interests within NATO. The Dutch government tried to get a favorable defensive line accepted in NATO, covering as much territory as possible. The Dutch lobbied for a blue water naval role in NATO covering the northern Atlantic Ocean, but instead received a minor role focusing on patrolling the North Sea. This thesis attempts to answer the following question: What was the Dutch perspective on the development of NATO during the Korean War. The secondary research questions are as follows: (1) What were the world-shaping events in the security domain during 1945-1950; (2) What was the Dutch perspective on the development of NATO before the outbreak of the Korean War; (3) What was the significance of the Korean War for the development of NATO; and (4) What was the Dutch perspective on the development of NATO during the Korean War.