NATO is established with signing of Washington Treaty

In the aftermath of WWII, the foundations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) were officially laid down on 4 April 1949 with 12 founding members signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington DC, known as the Washington Treaty, “to provide collective security against the threat posed by the Soviet Union”.

“The Treaty derives its authority from Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which reaffirms the inherent right of independent states to individual or collective defence.”

NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance between 28 European countries and 2 North American countries. [1]

Australia is not a member of NATO, (not North Atlantic), but are bound to the US by other intergovernmental treaties, so indirectly become involved in NATO defense activities:

• Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS)
• AUSCANNZUKUS alliance
• Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)