1. United Nations Overview
World History – Sobotta

2. Forerunner League of Nations 1919: Treaty of Versailles
“Promote cooperation and achieve peace and security.”
3 reasons it failed
No U.S.
USSR Non-Committal
No “teeth”

3. United Nations Founding
1944: US, UK, China, Soviet Union – early proposals
1945, San Francisco: 51 countries create charter
UN Day: October 24

4. Membership Member? Accept obligations of UN Charter
1945: 50 members sign + Poland
1949: 59 (Israel)
1956: 80 (Japan)
1960: 99 (16 in Africa)
1971: 132 (5 in Middle East)
1977: 149 (Viet Nam)
1992: 179 (former Soviet states)
2006: 192 (Montenegro)
Who’s not in the United Nations?

5. United Nations Purpose

6. UN Purposes UN Charter: INTERNATIONAL peace, security
Solve international problems
Friendly relations
Respect human rights
1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights

7. UN Principles Sovereign equality of all members.
Fulfill obligations of charter – assistance.
Settle disputes peacefully.
Refrain from threat or use of force.
No domestic interference.

8. General Assembly All members: one seat, one vote Sept-Dec
Decision Making
Want Consensus
Settle for vote (majority or 2/3)

9. Security Council Anytime peace threatened 15 members 9/15 vote
5 Permanent
10: 2-year terms
9/15 vote
“Permanent” Veto

10. The “UN System” 6 main committees
30 affiliated organizations (IMF, World Bank, WHO)
9000 employees
Secretariat
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Republic of Korea

11. Key U.N. Agencies
World Health Organization – Monitoring & information; coordination; research/drugs.
Unicef – UN Children’s Fund
UNHCR – Support for refugees.
IAEA – Atomic energy safety & security.
WTO – World Trade Organization
IMF – International Monetary Fund – Emergency loans.
World Bank – Development loans.

12. Carrots Sticks Ceasefire and/or truce.
Peacekeepers to separate warring parties.
Mediation: Negotiate peace plans.
“Safe areas” and humanitarian relief.
Financial Assistance.
Sticks
Political Sanctions: No participation.
Economic Sanctions: Restricted trade, loans.
Investigations and criminal tribunals.
“No Fly” Zone.
Endorse military intervention.