The United Nations How does the United Nations support military, democratic, institutional, and peacetime endeavors? i The Security Council: Main Idea Web As you read page 1, use this Main Idea Web to record details about the UN Security Council. Xx J Teacher's Guide Bi Editable Activity EE World War II had devastating effects on countries throughout the world, causing massive casualties and damage. After the war, the Alli TS were ~ again. In 1945, 51 nations joined to create the United Nations. The aim of this organization is i Today, it has 193 member nations and takes action on many issues such as global security, climate change, human rights, and equality. The UN charter, the document outlining the organization’s goals and powers, divided the United Nations into six bodies. One of these bodies is the Security Council, which has the stated goal of “maintaining international peace and ity.” The Security Council has been especially important in the United Nations’ efforts to build international cooperation.During the Cold War, rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union undermined the effectiveness of the Security Council. The two competing nations each had veto powers, making it difficult for the Security Council to reach any resolutions on the conflict oviet Unio. wa the early 1990s, it aided several countries in _ (1988), the administration of an independent state in Cambodia (1992), anda civil war in Mozambique (1992). Council's influence after the Cold War. Angola had been home to a civil war since 1975, when it became independent from Portugal. The Security Council passed a resolution in 1988 ordering the withdrawal of foreign troops from Angola and sent a mission to monitor the troop withdrawals. After the troops had left the country in 1991, the warring sides signed peace accords. The United Nations then took on the task of ensuring that both sides honored those accords. In such cases, the UN Security Council has developed a greater reach than it had during the Cold War by participating in the negotiation of peace and in its implementation and administration.At the time the United Nations was founded, 11 nations were given positions on the Security Council. Five of these nations—the United States, China, France, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom—were given permanent membership. Six others were to serve two-year terms on the Council ona nonpermanent basis. The permanent members were each authorized to veto, or reject, any Security Council bill. These five countries received the status of permanent membership because they were the leading victorious Allied powers in World War II. Russia has since replaced the Soviet Union as a permanent member. Today, there are 10 nonpermanent members instead of the original six. When threats to international peace arise, the UN Security Council may choose to step in. The council can negotiate agreements between member countries or investigate threats by sending troops or researchers on missions. An early example of the Security Council in action was the Suez Crisis of 1956, during which Egypt fought with Israel, France, and the United Kingdom over control of the Suez Canal. To stop military actions in Egypt, the Security Council sent in emergency forces, which led to the successful negotiation of a ceasefire. Some Security Council decisions take effect with the approval of any nine of the fifteen members. However, the five permanent members must be involved in votes to approve many other decisions, although they may elect to abstain from votes without affecting the final policy. In addition, any of the permanent members can veto a vote. During the Suez Crisis, for example, early Security Council proposals involved calling on Israel to withdraw its military forces. The British and French, both permanent members of the council, vetoed this resolution because they sided with Israel in the conflict.