September 8, 1954: SEATO is established through the signing of the Manila Pact in Manila, Philippines.
SEATO’s founding members include the United States, Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
The primary objective of SEATO was to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia following the French defeat in the First Indochina War and the subsequent division of Vietnam.
SEATO’s collective defense obligations were outlined in Article IV of the Manila Pact, stating that an armed attack on any member would be considered an attack on all members.
SEATO conducted military exercises and provided economic and military assistance to its member countries to strengthen their defense capabilities.
1962: SEATO issues a declaration condemning North Vietnam’s violation of the Geneva Agreements and supporting South Vietnam’s sovereignty and independence.
1964: The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is passed by the United States Congress, providing a legal basis for increased American involvement in the Vietnam War and indirectly implicating SEATO.
SEATO faced challenges in addressing the escalating conflict in Vietnam due to differing priorities and levels of commitment among member countries.
With the withdrawal of France from Indochina and the increasing dominance of the United States in the Vietnam War, SEATO’s relevance and effectiveness diminished.
June 30, 1977: SEATO is officially dissolved, primarily due to the changing geopolitical landscape and the end of the Vietnam War.
