In 1952 Greece joined NATO. This ally organization is a treaty formed originally between 12 western countries to fight “Soviet aggressions” (White). There were benefits for both Greece and the other countries that were already a part of this organization. Naval access and economic aid as well as powerful protection drove Greece and the United States to become allies within NATO.
Greek prime minister Alexandros Papagos believed that “NATO and the UN were the pillars of the international policy of Greece” (Hatzivassiliou p.18). During the Cold War tensions were high between the Soviet Union and western countries that were joining together to form the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The main importance for joining NATO for Greece was “allied solidarity” (Hatzivassiliou p.18). Greece was still recuperating from war and was receiving assistance from the US and the UK to rebuild their economy. This also helped with their decision to join NATO.
The New York Times did not have much coverage of this joining of allies, but when mentioned, the newspaper said that the US “reaccepted” Greece into NATO (White). This additional union between the countries can be seen as a positive move for the US because there would be “allied maritime structure” (jfcnaples) within the Mediterranean while Greece had the US behind them for defense. Because of the New York Times wording, it can be assumed that the decision of the US senate accepting Greece into the treaty is more of a benefit due to the expanded naval accesses that they would have. The access to the Mediterranean helped not only the US, but all of the countries in NATO, and the addition of the Greek army, made up of 118,000 men gave NATO that extra man-power.
1952 1972 A VITAL GAP NATO’S DEFENCES WAS SED WHEN GREECE AND TURKEY ACCEDED TO THE … ATLANTIC TREATY ON 18 FEBRUARY, 1952: GREECE. 1972. NATO Review. 03, http://newman.richmond.edu:2048/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/magazines/1952-1972-vital-gap-natos-defences-was-sed-when/docview/1792723984/se-2?accountid=14731 (accessed February 14, 2021).
“4 – Greece & Turkey Enter the Alliance.” jfcnaples.nato.int. Accessed February 15, 2021. https://jfcnaples.nato.int/page6322744/4-greece-turkey-enter-the-alliance-.aspx.
By WILLIAM S. WHITESpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES. 1952. SENATE REACCEPTS GREECE AND TURKEY: VOTES 73 TO 2 FOR ADMISSION INTO ATLANTIC TREATY — TAFT DESERTED BY FOLLOWERS SENATE REACCEPTS GREECE AND TURKEY. New York Times (1923-Current file), Feb 08, 1952. http://newman.richmond.edu:2048/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/senate-reaccepts-greece-turkey/docview/112350392/se-2?accountid=14731 (accessed February 14, 2021).
Evanthis Hatzivassiliou. 2006. Greece and the Cold War : Front Line State, 1952-1967. Cass Series–Cold War History. London: Routledge. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=171102&site=ehost-live.