Vandenberg Resolution

Republican Senator Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan abandoned his earlier advocacy of isolationism when he introduced the Vandenberg Resolution in 1948. The senator’s resolution was emblematic of a new acceptance of America’s international role, especially in opposition to the spread of Communism. The resolution approved United States participation in a regional security pact under the United Nations Charter, and also supported the creation of “collective arrangements” such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Herbert S. Parmet

Vandenberg Resolution

June 11, 1948

Senate Resolution 239, Eightieth Congress

Whereas peace with justice and the defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms require international cooperation through more effective use of the United Nations: Therefore be it

Resolved, That the Senate reaffirm the policy of the United States to achieve international peace and security through the United Nations so that armed force shall not be used except in the common interest, and that the President be advised of the sense of the Senate that this Government, by constitutional process, should particularly pursue the following objectives within the

United Nations Charter:

(1) Voluntary agreement to remove the veto from all questions involving pacific settlements of international disputes and situations, and from the admission of new members.

(2) Progressive development of regional and other collective arrangements for individual and collective self-defense in accordance with the purposes, principles, and provisions of the Charter.

(3) Association of the United States, by constitutional process, with such regional and other collective arrangements as are based on continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid, and as affect its national security.

(4) Contributing to the maintenance of peace by making clear its determination to exercise the right of individual or collective self-defense under article 51 should any armed attack occur affecting its national security.

(5) Maximum efforts to obtain agreements to provide the United Nations with armed forces as provided by the Charter and to obtain agreement among member nations upon universal regulation and reduction of armaments under adequate and dependable guaranty against violation.

(6) If necessary, after adequate effort toward strengthening the United Nations, review of the Charter at an appropriate time by a General Conference called under article 109 or by the General Assembly.

Source: Department of State, A Decade of American Foreign Policy: Basic Documents, 1941-49. Washington, D.C.: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1950.

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