University:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Course:
HIST 1160 | U.S. History to 1865
Academic year:

2024
Views:

428

Pages:

4
Author:

Harsh P.

Lecture Notes: Formation of the United Nations (UN) I. Introduction to the Need for a New International Organization ● Context and Post-WWII Challenges ● The devastation of World War II ● The failure of the League of Nations ● The need for a more effective global organization II. Predecessors to the UN ● ● League of Nations ● Founded in 1920 ● Limited effectiveness ● Disbandment in 1946 Bretton Woods Conference (1944) ● Monetary and financial cooperation ● Created the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank III. Dumbarton Oaks Conference (1944) ● ● ● Background ● Held in Washington, D.C. ● Attended by the U.S., the UK, the USSR, and China Agenda ● Creating a new international organization ● Collective security ● Addressing territorial disputes Proposals ● U.S. proposals ● Soviet proposals ● British proposals ● Chinese proposals IV. Yalta Conference (1945) ● ● Participants ● Franklin D. Roosevelt (USA) ● Winston Churchill (UK) ● Joseph Stalin (USSR) Decisions ● Division of Germany into occupation zones ● Soviet commitment to join the war against Japan ● The structure of the future United Nations V. San Francisco Conference (1945) ● ● Participants ● Delegates from 50 countries ● Diverse backgrounds and interests Founding Charter ● Preamble ● Chapters and articles ● Principles and purposes VI. Key Principles and Purposes of the UN ● ● Principles ● Sovereign equality of states ● Non-interference in domestic affairs ● Peaceful settlement of disputes Purposes ● Maintaining international peace and security ● Promoting social progress and better living standards ● Fostering cooperation in solving international problems VII. Structure of the UN ● ● ● ● General Assembly ● All member states represented ● Discusses global issues and recommends actions ● Non-binding resolutions Security Council ● Primary responsibility for maintaining peace and security ● Five permanent members (P5) with veto power ● Ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms Secretariat ● Administrative body headed by the Secretary-General ● Implements decisions and manages daily operations Specialized Agencies ● Examples: UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO ● Address specific global issues VIII. Challenges and Criticisms ● ● Cold War Tensions ● Division between the USA and the USSR ● Effect on Security Council decision-making Effectiveness and Relevance ● Criticisms regarding peacekeeping operations ● Calls for UN reform IX. Conclusion ● Legacy of the UN ● Promoting peace and diplomacy ● ● Advancing human rights and development Ongoing Role ● Addressing contemporary global challenges ● Evolving to meet changing international dynamics