[ '45-'49 | '50-'59 | '60-'69 | '70-'79 | '80-'89 | '90-'99 | '00- ] [ 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949] 1948

	Summary The following month, Britain, France and the three Benelux countries sign the Brussels Treaty which provides for their common defence and establishes Western Union (later to become the Western European Union). Many feel that this is only a first step and that a wider basis for cooperation is needed, one involving the United States. This view is reinforced by the Soviet Union's attempt in June to take control of the entire city of Berlin by cutting off its communications with the West. For almost a year, the only source of supplies for Berliners is to be the Western aircraft that airlift food, medicines and clothing to the blockaded city.
22 Jan	Ernest Bevin, United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, speaking in the House of Commons, proposes a form of Western Union. The Western Union Defence Organisation is subsequently established by the Defence Ministers of the Brussels Treaty Powers on 27-28 September 1948.
22-25 Febr	The Communist Party of Czechoslovakia gains control of the government in Prague through a coup détat.
17 Mar	Signature of the Brussels Treaty of Economic, Social and Cultural Collaboration and Collective Self-Defence by the Foreign Ministers of Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Additional information: NATO Basic Texts: Treaty of economic, social and cultural collatboration and collective self-defence ("The Brussels Treaty") NATO Archives: "The first five years 1949-1954" by Lord Ismay, NATO Secretary General. Part one: History. Chapter one: Origins of the North Atlantic Treaty: The Brussels Treaty.
11 June	The United States Senate adopts the Vandenberg Resolution, establishing the basis for future US association with regional and other collective arrangements for security Additional information: NATO Basic Texts: United States Senate Resolution 239. 80th congress, 2nd session, Washington D.C. (The Vandenberg Resolution) NATO Archives: "The first five years 1949-1954" by Lord Ismay, NATO Secretary General. Part one: History. Chapter one: Origins of the North Atlantic Treaty: The Vandenberg resolution.
24 June	Beginning of the Berlin blockade by the Soviet Union. Additional information: NATO Archives: "The first five years 1949-1954" by Lord Ismay, NATO Secretary General. Part one: History. Chapter one: Origins of the North Atlantic Treaty: The Brussels Treaty.
28 June	Formal expulsion of Yugoslavia from Cominform.
6 July	Talks on North Atlantic defence begin in Washington between the United States, Canada and the Brussels Treaty Powers. Additional information: NATO Archives: "The first five years 1949-1954" by Lord Ismay, NATO Secretary General. Part one: History. Chapter one: Origins of the North Atlantic Treaty: Negotiating the Atlantic Treaty.
25-26 Oct	The Consultative Council of the Brussels Treaty Powers announces complete agreement on the principle of a defensive pact for the North Atlantic. Additional information: NATO Archives: "The first five years 1949-1954" by Lord Ismay, NATO Secretary General. Part one: History. Chapter one: Origins of the North Atlantic Treaty: Negotiating the Atlantic Treaty.
10 Dec	Negotiations on the North Atlantic Treaty open in Washington between the representatives of the Brussels Treaty Powers, Canada and the United States. Additional information: NATO Archives: "The first five years 1949-1954" by Lord Ismay, NATO Secretary General. Part one: History. Chapter one: Origins of the North Atlantic Treaty: Negotiating the Atlantic Treaty