Origins of the Antarctic Treaty: 1908-1959

The Antarctic Treaty 1959 dedicates the Antarctic as an area Of peace, science and international cooperation.' It bans nuclear explosions and the disposal of nuclear waste, and cleverly avoids the issue of sovereignty by freezing territorial claims on the continent and prohibiting new claims. 2 This literature review will investigate the political and legal development of this unique agreement and assess which contributing factors had the most influence in its creation. For example were the principles of peace and cooperation bona fide factors in the enactment of the AntalVtic treaty or were the political concerns of the Cold War the real driving force behind this first Antarctic agreement? The Antarctic Treaty 1959 dedicates the Antarctic as an area Of peace, science and international cooperation.' It bans nuclear explosions and the disposal of nuclear waste, and cleverly avoids the issue of sovereignty by freezing territorial claims on the continent and prohibiting new claims. 2 This literature review will investigate the political and legal development of this unique agreement and assess which contributing factors had the most influence in its creation. For example were the principles of peace and cooperation bona fide factors in the enactment of the AntalVtic treaty or were the political concerns of the Cold War the real driving force behind this first Antarctic agreement