United nations

• The League of nations was formed in 1920 out of desire for peace after the first world war.

  The LON failed to maintain peace and the second world war broke out in 1939.
• Winston Churchill - Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1940-1945

  Franklin D. Roosevelt - President of USA ( former)

  signed the Atlantic charter abroad a battleship off newfoundland in the Atlantic ocean on 14th August 1941.
• Atlantic charter was based on the principles of mutual respect and cooperation among nations and peaceful resolutions of disputes.

  Basic Rights:

  • freedom from want
  • freedom of speech
  • freedom of religious belief
  • freedom from fear
• In june 1945, 50 nations met in San Francisco to sign the UN charter. Poland later signed the charter in 1949 and became one of the original 51 members.

  On 24th October 1945, the UN was established to save the succeeding generations from the scourge of war and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights.
• • 24th October is celebrated as United Nations Day.
  • The original signatories included Britain, France, USA, former USSR and China.
  • There are 193 members today.
  • The headquarters is in New York.
• The UN Charter sets out its aims:

  • maintaining international peace and security
  • promoting friendly relations among nations
  • developing friendly relations among nations
  • achieving international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character
  • being a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining these common ends.
  • To save succeeding generations from war
  • Promote human rights and fundamental freedom
• Organs of the UN:

  • The General Assembly
  • The Security Council
  • The Economic and Social Council
  • The Trusteeship Council
  • The International Court of Justice
  • The Secretariat
• The General Assembly

  All members of the UN are members of this assembly

  Each member nation can send up to 5 representatives but they are entitled to vote one per nation

  Assembly meets once a year but special sessions can be held during any crisis.
• The functions of the General Assembly:

  • To discuss international problems and recommend solutions.
  • Recommend peaceful settlement of disputes
  • To consider and approve the UN budget
  • To elect non-permanent members of the SC, ECOSOC and the trusteeship council
  • To supervise work of other organs
  • Recommendations for collective measures including the use of armed forces during a crisis.
• Security Council

  It is the most important organ.

  It is also known as the enforcement wing

  It consists of 15 members, 5 of which are permanent members ( USA, UK, France, People's republic of China, The Russian Federation )

  The 10 non-permanent members are elected for 2 years.

  It has the responsibility of maintaining peace and security.

  Decisions are taken by at least 9 members including all 5 permanent members

  A negative vote from by any one of the permanent members would lead to a cancellation of the resolution. This is known as veto
• Functions of the Security Council:

  • To investigate international disputes and recommend ways to settle it peacefully
  • To call on member states to apply economic sanctions against the aggressor
  • To take military action against aggressor if necessary
• The Economic and Social Council

  Consists of 54 members who are elected by the general assembly for a 3 year term

  The main objective of the ECOSOC is to free the world from want
• Functions of the ECOSOC:

  • To promote economic growth and social progress
  • To create a spirit of respect for human rights
  • To solve problems related to health, illiteracy, drugs, employment, status of women etc.
  • To supervise the work of various specialized agencies such as WHO, ILO, FAO, UNESCO, UNICEF etc.
• The Trusteeship Council:

  The trusteeship council was established to look after the territories that were under foreign rule and to help them attain self-government

  All trusteeship territories have achieved independence

  The TC suspended operations in 1994
• The International Court of Justice

  Consists of 15 judges from different countries

  Elected by the General Assembly and Security Council

  Each judge has a 9 year term
• Functions of ICJ:

  • To settle disputes brought to it by member nations
  • To give legal advice to other organs


  All matters are decided in accordance with international law. The ICJ is located at the Hague, Netherlands ( Holland ).