1. By Jordan Cline and Anita Bainbridge
Antarctic Treaty
By Jordan Cline and Anita Bainbridge

2. Antarctica Earth’s southernmost continent
Earth’s only country without a native population
Was mostly neglected until the early 20th Century and the signing of the Antarctic Treaty.

3. Background: When? Treaty was signed December 1st 1959
Treaty was enforced on 23rd June, 1961
Earliest of the post-World War II arms limitation agreements

4. Background: Purpose Provided a model for future treaties
To protect the peaceful status of Antarctica by banning
Establishment of military bases
Military manoeuvres
Stationing or testing of any type of weapon
Nuclear explosions
Radioactive waste material
Provided a model for future treaties

5. Background: Participants
Originally made up of 12 members:
Argentina
Australia
Belgium
Chile
France
Japan
New Zealand
Norway
South Africa
Soviet Union UK
USA
Signed on 23rd June 1961

6. Current members

7. Cold War The Treaty was signed at the height of the Cold War
Events before and during this time period include:
The success of Fidel Castro’s Cuban Revolution (1959)
Luna 3 (1959)
Sputnik (1957)
U2 incident (1960)
The US and the Soviets were locked in Cold War tension and there were serious concerns about nuclear conflict and weapons testing

8. Levels of Compliance
Meetings were held biennially, but have been held more frequently since 1993
Each meeting involves recommendations for how the treaty should be used, which when ratified become binding to all partied involved.
Conservation of seals (1972)
Conservation of marine living resources (1980)
Comprehensive environmental protection ( )
Compliance has been good amongst all parties involved
One of the most successful treaties of all time due to the diplomacy of all involved parties

9. Implementation Challenges
The Treaty fails to address certain flaws
No laws to regulate commercial tourism
Protocol does not address environmental threats and issues
Compliance is largely dependant on the willingness of the parties involved
No mechanisms for punishing violators of the Treaty

10. Loopholes Loopholes in the treaty include:
Vague language which makes the treaty difficult to enforce
Article 25 “the walk out clause”
Article X of CCAMLR and it’s lack of guidelines

12. Bibliography
"THE ANTARCTIC TREATY." U.S. Department of State. Web. 05 Oct <
Atomicarchive.com