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Witness History: The founding of Nato

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The founding of Nato

28/03/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The founding of Nato

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed to block the Soviet Union's expansion

In 1949, a group of 12 countries formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to block the expansion of the Soviet Union.

Nato - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - was formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and France.

Its aim was to block expansion by the then Soviet Union - a group of states which included Russia.

The UK’s foreign secretary at the time, Ernest Bevin, played a key role in persuading the US to join the alliance.

This programme, produced and presented by Vicky Farncombe, tells the story of Nato's founding using archive interviews.

(Credit: Ernest Bevin signs the North Atlantic treaty. Credit: Getty Images)

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