Thread by @indiohistorian

#TodayinHistory in 1954, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was established w/ the signing of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty in #Manila by 🇺🇸, 🇬🇧,🇦🇺,🇳🇿,🇵🇰,🇫🇷, 🇹🇭, & 🇵🇭. The purpose was to prevent the spread of Communism in the region. (THREAD) #history

Rooted in the "Truman Doctrine"—the policy of containment of the geopolitical influence of Communism during the Cold War—U.S. State Secretary John Foster Dulles campaigned for the formation of a Southeast Asian regional block to push back vs. the USSR & China.

Patterned after @NATO whose member states are bound by mutual defense at the event that a member state was attacked, this envisioned alliance for Southeast Asia would provide a leverage.

When this was raised in an all-party conference in Malacañang in late July 1954, #PH Pres. Ramon Magsaysay was supportive of such an org, but reserved judgment on #PH joining the alliance, as this would "depend on how strongly such union would safely safeguard PH security."

Pres. Magsaysay formally opened the Manila Conference of 1954, at the Old Legislative Building (now @natmuseumph) on 6 Sept 1954. In a speech he asked "the free world to keep yourselves strong and vigilant" and to "repel aggression."

On 8 Sept, the SEATO Charter was signed by foreign ministers of the Philippines (VP Carlos P. Garcia), U.S., U.K., France, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, & Thailand. Despite its name "Southeast Asia," only 2 member states legitimately belonged to the category, Thailand & PH.

In 1957, upon SEATO Sec General Pote Sarasin's resignation, #PH Pres. Carlos P. Garcia raised the possibility of a Filipino-elected Secretary General. But this was not to be until 1965, w/ the election of Jesus M. Vargas, the 1st & only Filipino SEATO Sec Gen.

SEATO proved a failure as it was largely seen as a mere front for American hegemony in the region. This was reinforced when the SEATO provided means for U.S. military intervention in the Vietnam War, w/c proved a costly war that garnered criticism in PH, Southeast Asia, & U.S.

Members began withdrawing, w/ France pulling back its financial support. Finally, it was formally dissolved on 30 June 1977. While it came to naught, SEATO provided a path for a more durable & representative org of Southeast Asian nations.

https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1292060301202841600?s=20

Photo:

- Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, 1954, from @ArchivesNZ
- SEATO poster, from reconciliationsofnations.com
- U.S. State Sec John F. Dulles meets Pres. Ramon Magsaysay, 3 Sept 1954, Presidential Museum & Library
- SEATO Talks in Bangkok, c. 1955, from @USNatArchives

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