Italy Signs the North Atlantic Treaty

Italy's inclusion in an Atlantic alliance was debated both at home and among the prospective allies. Its position in the Mediterranean offered a southern extension to European defense, while its strong Communist Party made political alignment especially contentious. Alcide De Gasperi's Christian Democrats won the 1948 election, and his government pursued membership as part of Italy's return to international cooperation after Fascism and defeat. [1]

Western European governments sought assurance that American help would arrive if they were attacked. American negotiators had to preserve Congress's authority over war. [2]

Carlo Sforza signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington on 4 April 1949, making Italy one of twelve founding signatories. Less than six years after surrendering to Allied forces, it joined the United States and several of its former enemies in an agreement for collective defense. [3] [4]

Members undertook to settle disputes peacefully, develop their capacity for defense, and consult when a member’s security was threatened. Article 5 treated an armed attack on one as an attack on all, while leaving each government to decide what action it considered necessary, including armed force. [5]

At the ceremony, President Harry Truman argued that mutual assistance would discourage aggression and give the reconstruction already under way in Western Europe a firmer foundation. National ratification followed signature, and the treaty entered into force on 24 August. [3] [5]

Related Diplomats

1. Alberto Tarchiani [6] [7] [8]

Related Reading

• Italy and the United States