jul 1, 1968 - Non-Proliferation Treaty - Charles

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Due to the terrifying nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviets, the two global powers decided to create the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Both of these two superpowers were immensely powerful, and other countries started developing their own arsenals as well. Leaders realized that if more countries acquired these nuclear weapons, the risk of a catastrophic nuclear war would be significantly raised.
In 1968, the Non-Proliferation Treaty was proposed, and later put into effect in 1970. The treaty established a clear agreement: non-nuclear countries agreed not to work on and acquire nuclear weapons, while the recognized nuclear powers would disarm and promise nuclear peace across the land. The agreement would be oversight and carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure compliance.
Even though some countries refused to sign the treaty, and others later withdrew, the treaty became the single most important arms control agreement of the Cold War.

What Is the Non-Proliferation Treaty?, www.icanw.org/npt. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

“Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.” Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) | United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, disarmament.unoda.org/en/our-work/weapons-mass-destruction/nuclear-weapons/treaty-non-proliferation-nuclear-weapons. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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