Documents

The Non-Proliferation Treaty
(July 1, 1968)

NPT Signatories

The Non-Proliferation Treaty
History 300 / October 10, 2013

I. Introduction: the challenge of institutionalizing inequality
II. “Atoms for Peace”: nuclear sharing, of a sort
            A. National controls on nuclear technology
            B. International controls
                        1. The IAEA in Vienna
                        2. A European solution: EURATOM
            C. The “Plowshare” program
III. Sharing within NATO – for military purposes
            A. Polaris rockets for Britain
            B. De Gaulle’s own path: the force de frappe
            C. A Multi-Lateral Force?
IV. Negotiating the NPT
            A. Moscow and Washington reach consensus, 1965-66
                        1. The impetus: China’s bomb (1964)
                        2. An elegant solution: parallel promises
            B. Germany, Italy, and Japan push for changes, 1967-68
                        1. Complaints specific to Europe
                        2. Complaints concerning commercial nuclear sales
                        3. Complaints concerning inequality
            C. The final treaty, July 1, 1968
            D. To sign or not to sign?
                        1. A “non-nuclear conference” (Sept. 1968)
                        2. Important non-signatories
V. The NPT in operation
            A. “Holes” in the treaty structure
            B. The Nuclear Suppliers’ Group, 1975-present
            C. Revision conferences maintain the status quo
            D. Current topics in non-proliferation
                        1. The bilateral U.S. deal with India
                        2. Iran and the bomb