United Nations History

Permanent members reflected the post war balance of power. For exams connect P5 with the power order after World War II.

Veto is a special power of permanent Security Council members. For exams remember it as the power to block a resolution.

Non permanent members are elected for two years. For exams remember the difference between permanent and non permanent membership.

The Security Council has primary responsibility in international peace matters. For exams treat it as a powerful UN organ.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It mainly settles disputes between states under international law and may also give advisory opinions. The Security Council has primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, including decisions on sanctions and peacekeeping measures. Option B reverses these roles. Exam tip: associate the ICJ with judicial settlement and the Security Council with peace and security.

ICJ judges are elected by the General Assembly and Security Council. For exams connect this with the judicial organ's status.

After work related to trust territories was completed the Council stopped regular work. For exams remember it as a historical UN organ.

ECOSOC coordinates development and social issues. For exams connect it with the work of specialized agencies.

The Secretariat performs administrative work of the organization. For exams connect it with the office of the Secretary General.

The Secretary General plays diplomatic and moral roles along with administration. For exams remember both the limits and importance of the post.

Trygve Lie led the early UN administration. For exams connect the first Secretary General with Norway.

Hammarskjold gave the Secretary General's office an active diplomatic role. For exams connect him with peace efforts.

The human rights declaration is counted among major UN achievements. For exams connect it with 1948.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the General Assembly. For exams remember Human Rights Day and 10 December.

Eleanor Roosevelt was a major figure linked with the Human Rights Commission. For exams connect her with the UDHR.

Peacekeeping is a practical UN role but the Charter also carries the idea of collective security. For exams understand both terms separately.

The governing historical fact is that the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, or UNTSO, was established in 1948 to observe and help maintain a truce in the Middle East. It is generally regarded as the first UN peacekeeping operation. Therefore A is correct. UNICEF focuses on children, UNESCO on education and heritage, and WFP on food assistance; none of these represents the first peacekeeping mission.

The Korean War showed the UN's collective security role. For exams understand it in the Cold War context.

The Suez Crisis helped develop peacekeeping arrangements. For exams connect it with the development of UN peacekeeping.

The UN gave many newly independent countries a global platform. For exams connect decolonization with UN history.