Treaty of Dunkirk facts for kids
| Treaty of Alliance and Mutual Assistance between the United Kingdom and France | |
|---|---|
| Type | Mutual defence treaty |
| Signed | 4 March 1947 |
| Location | Dunkirk, France |
| Effective | 8 September 1947 |
| Expiration | 8 September 1997 |
| Parties | |
| Languages | English and French |
 Treaty of Dunkirk at Wikisource |
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The Treaty of Dunkirk was an important agreement signed on 4 March 1947. It was made between France and the United Kingdom in the city of Dunkirk, France. This treaty was officially called a Treaty of Alliance and Mutual Assistance. Its main goal was to protect both countries from a possible attack by Germany after World War II.
The treaty became active on 8 September 1947. It was set to last for fifty years. Some historians believe that while the treaty mentioned a German threat, it was also meant to help defend against other potential threats, like the Soviet Union.
What Was the Treaty of Dunkirk?
The Treaty of Dunkirk was a promise between France and the United Kingdom. They agreed to help each other if Germany attacked again. This was a big concern because World War II had just ended. Many countries wanted to prevent another major conflict.
The treaty showed that these two countries wanted to work together for safety. It was a way to build peace and stability in Europe. They aimed to prevent the kind of events that led to the recent war.
How It Led to Other Agreements
The Treaty of Dunkirk was a first step towards bigger alliances in Europe. It came before the Treaty of Brussels signed in 1948. This later treaty was also known as the "Brussels Pact."
The Brussels Pact created a group called the Western Union. Its members were Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. This union was formed to provide even stronger mutual defense.
In 1955, the Western Union changed its name to the Western European Union. This happened after a new version of the Brussels Treaty was signed in 1954. At that time, Italy and West Germany also joined the alliance. The Treaty of Dunkirk helped set the stage for these later, larger defense groups.
See also
- Treaty of Brussels
- Western Union
- North Atlantic Treaty
- Treaty establishing the European Defence Community
