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- Setting up the United Nations and its work to 1964
Setting up the United Nations and its work to 1964
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In 1945 the United Nations replaced the League. It was given more power, and soon faced tests in Palestine, Korea and the Congo.
Organisation
The UN Charter was signed in 1945.
General Assembly: all members, one vote each.
Security Council: five permanent members (USA, USSR, Britain, France, China) with a veto, plus elected members.
Secretariat headed by the Secretary-General.
The UN could send peacekeeping forces.
General Assembly: all members, one vote each.
Security Council: five permanent members (USA, USSR, Britain, France, China) with a veto, plus elected members.
Secretariat headed by the Secretary-General.
The UN could send peacekeeping forces.
Agencies
WHO: world health; FAO: food and farming; UNESCO: education, science and culture; UNICEF: children; the ILO: workers' rights.
The Human Rights Commission drew up the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). There were also refugee organisations and a Disarmament Commission.
The Human Rights Commission drew up the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). There were also refugee organisations and a Disarmament Commission.
Early tests
Palestine (1947 to 49): the UN partition plan; war followed when Israel was created.
Korea (1950 to 53): with the USSR boycotting the Security Council, the UN sent forces to defend South Korea.
Congo (1960 to 64): a large UN force tried to restore order and end a breakaway in Katanga; Secretary-General Hammarskjöld died in a plane crash there.
Korea (1950 to 53): with the USSR boycotting the Security Council, the UN sent forces to defend South Korea.
Congo (1960 to 64): a large UN force tried to restore order and end a breakaway in Katanga; Secretary-General Hammarskjöld died in a plane crash there.
Why was the UN able to act in Korea in 1950?
- The USSR would normally have vetoed action against a communist state.
- But it was boycotting the Security Council at the time.
- So the Council could approve sending UN forces.
Answer: The Soviet boycott meant no veto blocked action.
UN Charter (1945): General Assembly, Security Council with five vetoes, Secretariat, peacekeeping. Agencies: WHO, FAO, UNESCO, UNICEF, ILO, Human Rights Commission. Tests: Palestine (1947 to 49), Korea (1950 to 53) during a Soviet boycott, the Congo (1960 to 64).
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