Twelve North American and Western European countries sign the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, creating the NATO collective defence alliance.
France establishes the State of Vietnam within the French Union, with former emperor Bảo Đại as head of state.
The Federal Republic of Germany is founded in the Western occupation zones, followed by the German Democratic Republic in the Soviet zone.
Following the Hague Round Table Conference, the Netherlands formally transfers sovereignty to the United States of Indonesia, ending the Indonesian National Revolution.
The Union of Burma becomes independent from Britain, choosing not to join the Commonwealth.
Ceylon becomes an independent dominion within the Commonwealth, ending British colonial rule.
The United States enacts a large-scale economic aid programme to rebuild Western European economies after the Second World War.