The Antarctic Treaty and Other Politics

Around the 1940's, political turmoil was threatening the Antarctic continent. Many countries were fighting for claims ("slices of pie") on the continent. Also, with the Cold War soon to go into full swing, many nations were afraid that the US and the Soviet Union could use their large interests and claims on the continent as part of the conflict.



The Antarctic Treaty was created by the twelve biggest participants in the International Geophysical Year, as a way to keep Antarctica a pristine wilderness free from political territorial disputs. It was signed in 1959, and when it went into effect in 1961, full scientific access and freedom were granted to land below 60 degrees. It also ensured that it could only be used for peaceful purposes. (Click here for a full text version of the treaty.)

Since then, the Treaty has remained in full effect, and other policies and groups have come into existence and grown. For example, the Special Council on Antarctic Research, which was founded in 1958 to coordinate the scientific efforts of many nations, is now an independent scientific advisor and multinational coordinator for most of the research done on Antarctica. But even with treaties and awareness of the environment, many wanted to begin to mine for minerals and oil believed to be under the ice cap. Even though this is in violation of the treaty, some nations said a provision could be made to allow for drilling to occur. Other countries, such as France and Australia, were strongly against any form of drilling or mining at any time, and they began to push for protocols to completely outlaw removal of any natural resources forever. The protocol eventually was named the "Madrid Protocol", and it was put into effect in 1991, protecting the environment forever.

Introduction Antarctica History The Project and Data Beyond the Ice Links and Resources Contact Us