Which treaty, signed on July 1, 1968, banned the development of nuclear weapons by new states?

• A. Outer Space Treaty
• B. Chemical Weapons Convention
• C. Non-Proliferation Treaty
• D. Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Answer: (C)

The Non-Proliferation Treaty is the agreement opened for signature on July 1, 1968 that aims to stop the spread of nuclear weapons to new states. It establishes that countries without nuclear weapons will not pursue them, in exchange for commitments from nuclear-armed states to move toward disarmament and to allow peaceful use of nuclear energy. This directly addresses the idea of preventing new states from developing nuclear weapons, which is why it fits the description in the question.

Why the other options don’t match as closely: the Outer Space Treaty focuses on prohibiting weapons in outer space, not on nuclear development by new states; the Chemical Weapons Convention targets chemical weapons; and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty bans nuclear explosions but does not itself ban the initial development of nuclear weapons and it was opened for signature later than 1968.