United Nations History

The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment was held in Stockholm, Sweden, from 5 to 16 June 1972. It is regarded as the first major global conference focused on environmental issues and led to the creation of UNEP. 1974 is incorrect because the conference had already taken place. Exam tip: Remember Stockholm Conference—1972 and UNEP—1972 together.

The League was weak in preventing war so the UN gave a central role to the Security Council. For exams compare the League and the UN carefully.

The Charter accepts equality of states but also gives special power to permanent members. For exams write both idealism and power politics.

In substantive matters the veto of permanent members can be decisive. For exams link Security Council voting with veto.

Article 51 is linked with individual or collective self defence. For exams remember it as an exception to the restriction on force.

Chapter VII gives the Security Council basis for action in threats to peace. For exams connect it with sanctions and authorization of force.

Chapter VI emphasizes peaceful means such as negotiation inquiry mediation and judicial settlement. For exams understand the difference between Chapters VI and VII.

Small countries wanted broad representation while major powers wanted a special role in the Security Council. For exams remember this institutional compromise.

Article 99 gives the Secretary General an active warning role. For exams link it with the diplomatic power of the Secretary General.

This resolution tried to increase the General Assembly role during Security Council deadlock. For exams study it in the Cold War background.

Peacekeeping became a practical method to handle real crises. For exams treat it as an evolving UN role.

Traditional peacekeeping is based on consent impartiality and limited force mainly for self defence. For exams remember these three together.

UNEF during Suez gave practical form to peacekeeping. For exams connect it with the development of modern peacekeeping.

UNTSO is linked with early peace supervision from 1948. For exams treat it as an early example of peacekeeping.

The Congo crisis linked peacekeeping with complex political situations. For exams connect it with both the Cold War and decolonization.

In the Korean War the UN gave a collective response against aggression. For exams connect it with an unusual Cold War situation.

Soviet absence opened the way for Security Council action. For exams remember this event in the Cold War context.

The UDHR strengthened international human rights language. For exams remember the difference between a moral standard and a legal treaty.

ICCPR and ICESCR legally developed the rights. For exams understand the relation between UDHR and the covenants.

The Genocide Convention is linked with post war human rights and protection of humanity. For exams treat it as a major achievement of 1948.

UNHCR is linked with protection and assistance of refugees. For exams understand it as a humanitarian assistance framework.

The General Assembly gave a broad platform to demands for self determination and independence. For exams connect it with the voice of the Global South.

This declaration gave international legitimacy to independence and self determination. For exams connect it with a turning point in decolonization.

The Council became inactive after trust territory work was completed. For exams connect it with the success of decolonization.

After Palau's independence the regular role of the Trusteeship Council virtually ended. For exams connect it with the end of the trusteeship system.