The North Atlantic Treaty, also known as the Washington Treaty, is a landmark international agreement that established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The treaty came into effect in 1949 and aimed to forge a strong collective defense system among North American and European nations. The North Atlantic Treaty has various synonyms and alternative names, including the Atlantic Pact, the Washington Treaty Organization, the NATO Treaty, the Treaty of Brussels, and the Treaty of Dunkirk. These terms are all interchangeable and refer to the same powerful alliance of democratic nations committed to safeguarding freedom, peace, and security in the North Atlantic region.