In what year was NATO established?

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was established in 1949 as a collective defense alliance among Western nations. The primary purpose of NATO was to provide mutual defense against aggression, particularly in the context of the geopolitical tensions of the Cold War that were rising in Europe after World War II. The establishment of NATO marked a significant moment in international relations, as it formalized the commitment of member countries to defend one another in response to an attack, thereby shaping the security landscape in the ensuing decades. This foundational year is critical to understanding NATO's role in historical and contemporary global security matters.