The Treaty of Brussels was signed in 1948 by the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg with the initial objective of preventing communism. Later on, it was extended to include a mutual defense agreement. : Denmark, Iceland, Italy and Portugal also wanted to join, requesting the participation of Canada and the United States in a North Atlantic defense pact. The United States raised US entry into a defense agreement that was subject to the UN Code because of concerns that the USSR's actions could lead to the fall of Europe.