United Nations History

Dumbarton Oaks discussed the structure and San Francisco signed the Charter. For exams treat both as linked steps in creating the UN.

The veto system was a political condition for keeping major powers inside the new organization. For exams link it with power politics and UN structure.

The restriction on force is a core principle of the UN system. For exams remember it with peace and sovereign equality.

The membership process includes both power and broad representation. For exams remember the difference between recommendation and admission.

The Security Council was given a central role in the peace system. For exams understand the UN as an improvement over League weaknesses.

The General Assembly gives broad representation but its power is not like the Security Council. For exams write the difference between representation and power.

Veto kept major powers involved but can also block decisions. For exams treat veto as both strength and weakness.

The Cold War often divided the Security Council. For exams remember power politics as a limitation of the UN.

Because of Soviet absence the Security Council action was not blocked. For exams connect the Korean War with an unusual Cold War situation.

This resolution increased the possible role of the General Assembly when the Security Council stalled. For exams connect it with the Cold War context.

The Suez Crisis highlighted the practical role of peacekeepers. For exams treat it as an important step in modern peacekeeping.

Peacekeeping is not military aggression but a practical middle path to manage conflict. For exams remember it as a peace tool.

The Congo Crisis showed peacekeeping can be more complex than simple observation. For exams link it with decolonization and the Cold War.

Self determination gave an international language to colonial demands for freedom. For exams connect it with General Assembly declarations.

This declaration challenged colonialism morally and politically. For exams connect it with international recognition of freedom movements.

After trust territory work was completed the Council stopped regular work. For exams connect it with decolonization.

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

The Charter mentions human rights and the Declaration gave them a clear standard. For exams connect it with 1948.

The Declaration became a moral standard but was not itself a treaty. For exams understand the difference between rights standards and legal binding force.

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