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While conducting our research, we decided to divide the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization into seven major categories: Background, World War II, Major Events, Structure,
NATO Spending, and Current Members. To start our analysis of the evolution of the alliance, we
gathered background information from History.com and then branched off from there. This
groundwork led us to the aftermath of World War II. After the Second World War came to an end,
many Western countries were concerned about the expansion of communism which led the
United States along with eleven other countries to create the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Since the alliance is politically and militarily based, we were curious as to what major events
they had partaken in over the years. We felt it was important to discuss the structure of the
organization due to the immense cooperation necessary between members. Discovering that each
country involved in the alliance was expected to donate 2% of its gross domestic product to
defense spending, we were prompted to discover what else the NATO budget was used for. To
wrap up our research, we wanted to learn how the alliance has grown. The North Atlantic Treaty
Organization has more than doubled in size since its creation in 1949; it has increased from
twelve to twenty-eight members.
Following the completion of our research we divided our website into six tabs in their
respective order. Once we had our website categorized, we made a homepage, annotated
bibliography, and process paper. Additionally, the core of our work was completed by filling our
tabs with our research information. Taking into account that many of our viewers are visual
learners, we also provided graphs to help them further their understanding.
The annual theme this year was Exploration, Encounter, and Exchange in History the
evolution of NATO is a perfect example of both encounter and exchange in history. For instance,
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded from the fear of encountering the expansion

of communism throughout the globe. The original twelve members of NATO banded together in
a political and military based alliance in order to protect themselves and each other from the
Soviet Union and its ideology. Throughout the years the alliance has remained strong even while
encountering threats, such as the Warsaw Pact and terrorist threats. The North Atlantic Treaty
Organization is fundamentally founded off the exchange of trust, support, and wealth between its
members. Overall, the alliances strength and success is due to the willingness to cooperate within
the organization.