League of Nations
powers agreed to start a new global
• Founded on January 10, 1920, as part
of the Treaty of Versailles following
World War I.
• Conceived with the goal of
preventing future conflicts through
diplomacy and collective security.
• Initially, 42 member states joined the
League, including major powers like
Britain, France, and Japan.
• The League's failures during the
1930s are often cited as contributing
factors to the outbreak of World War
II.
• The League of Nations ceased to
exist in April 20, 1946, and its
functions were transferred to the
newly formed United Nations (UN)
United Nations
• Established on October 24, 1945.
• It is comprised of 193 countries all
over the world.
• Established after World War II with
the goal of preventing future wars,
and preserve peace.
• Headquartered in New York City
United Nations Charter
• Signed on June 26, 1945, by delegates
of 50 nations.
• Poland signed on October 15, 1945.
• Codifies the major principles of
international relations, from
sovereign equality of states, to the
prohibition of the use of force in
international relations.
History of the UN
• In the wake of WWII, the major allied
organization to help manage
international affairs.
o First articulated by Franklin
D. Roosevelt (US President)
and Winston Churchill
(British Prime Minister) upon
signing the Atlantic Charter.
• The US, UK, and the Soviet Union
(Big Three) took the lead in designing
the new organization and determining
its decision-making structure and
functions but were hindered by
disagereements.
• Dumbarton Oaks Conference – a
meeting of diplomats from the Big
Four (US, UK, Soviet Union, and
Russia), wherein they agreed on the
organization's general purpose,
function, and structure, but ended
with disagreements over membership
and voting.
• Yalta Conference – meeting of the Big
Three in Crimea, laid the basis for
charter provisions.
• United Nations Conference on
International Organization (UNCIO)
– convened on April 1945, it
produced the final charter of the UN,
attended by 50 countries.
• The UN Charter was adopted on June
26, 1945, and promulgated on
October 24, 1945.
Main Organs of the United Nations
General Assembly
• Composed of all 193 member states
with equal representation.
 • Functions as a forum for member
states to discuss and make decisions
on a wide range of global issues.
• Representatives of Member States get
one vote in all matters.
• UNGA responds to humanitarian
crises, such as the Syria conflict, by
convening discussions and
resolutions on providing aid and
support to affected populations.
Security Council
• Comprises 15 members, including
five permanent members (China,
France, Russia, the United Kingdom,
and the United States).
• Responsible for maintaining
international peace and security.
• Has the authority to impose sanctions
and authorize military action.
• All Member States are obligated to
comply with Council decisions.
• The Security Council's discussions
and resolutions related to the conflict
in Ukraine and sanctions against
North Korea.
International Court of Justice
• The principal judicial organ of the
United Nations, its headquarters is in
The Hague.
• Composed of 15 judges elected by the
General Assembly and Security
Council
o The current president is Joan
E. Donoghue
• ICJ's ruling on the dispute between
Gambia and Myanmar over the
alleged genocide against the
Rohingya minority.
Secretariat
• Administrative arm of the UN
responsible for implementing UN
policies, managing programs, and
providing support.
• Led by the Secretary-General, who is
appointed by the General Assembly
on the recommendation of the
Security Council.
o The current Secretary-
General is António Guterres
• Coordinating global efforts to combat
climate change, as seen in the UN
Climate Change Conferences (COP).
Economic and Social Council
• Promotes international economic and
social cooperation and coordinates
UN specialized agencies and
programs.
• Composed of 54 member states
elected by the General Assembly.
Trusteeship
• Originally established to oversee the
administration of trust territories.
o Trust territories are territories
placed under the
administration of one or more
member states of the United
Nations (UN) after World War
II
• The Trusteeship is currently inactive,
suspending operations on November
1, 1994, a month after the
independence of Palau, the last
remaining United Nations trust
territory.
Further Knowledge
Who introduced the idea of the League of
Nations?
- 28th US President Woodrow H.
Wilson
Why did the US not join the League of
Nations?
- Because of the opposition of the
Republican Party, wherein they were
concerned about potential loss of US
sovereignty.
What are the Democratic Party and
Republican Party in the US?
- The Democratic Party leans on liberal
ideologies, promotes social equality
and civil rights, supports progressive
taxation, and promotes a larger
government role in social programs.
- The Republican Party supports
traditional values, promotes a smaller
government and lower taxes, and
emphasizes more on individual
programs.
How does the UN Work?
- It works by having countries discuss
important issues, and letting
specialized agencies within the UN to
tackle specific problems.
Which countries can vote in the General
Assembly?
- All 193 countries are given a chance
to vote.
Which countries are not in the UN?
- Palestine and the Vatican (Holy See)
o Palestine is limited only to
permanent observer status
because of its ongoing
territorial dispute with Israel
o The Vatican did not apply for
membership because the Pope
prefers not to directly affect
international policy.
Which countries have veto powers?
- The five permanent members: China,
France, Russian Federation, UK, and
US.
What is UDHR?
- The Universal Declaration for Human
Rights was adopted by the UNGA on
December 10, 1948, in the aftermath
of World War II.
- The Declaration consists of 30
articles that outline fundamental
human rights and freedoms to which
all individuals are entitled, regardless
of their nationality, race, gender,
religion, or any other status.