UN Packet

When did President Franklin D. Roosevelt die?

Three weeks before German surrender in World War II, which brought the European war to an end. The specific date for Roosevelt's death is April 12, 1945 (the month and date is one day after my birthday -_-)

Downsides/areas of dispute of Territorial Integrity

When disputes start over where international boundaries lie, the UN's commitment to territorial integrity can conflict with the two other principles of state sovereignty and self determination

Opinions, debates, and downsides regarding the Veto Power

- Many states worried that the veto power was not fair. - Disagreements between permanent member states of the UN Security Council could create stalemates. The UN's creators hoped that the permanent member states would share a common interest in maintaining global peace and the permanent member states vowed to never use their veto power to obstruct with UN Security Council operations. - Many states were dissatisfied with this promise but they understood that the support of powerful countries was vital for the UN to succeed where the League of Nations failed.

Nations

A group of people united by something they have in common ex. Language, Religion, History, Homeland. Nations within a state may or may not feel that heir state accurately represents them as a group. Many nations within states want their own independence and state.They claim that they should govern their own affairs.

Why was UN formed

A lasting solution to conflicts was urgently needed after the horrific experience of World War II.

UN Charter

Founding document of UN, signed on June 25, 1945 by 50 countries.

U.S. Presidents Related to UN

Franklin D. Roosevelt- Led effort to create UN Harry S. Truman- Continued Roosevelt's effort to create UN

Collective Security

In a document known as the League of Nations Covenant, Wilson and world leaders outlined principles of the League. A central feature was collective security. Collective security was based on a member's promise to respect and preserve against external aggression against existing political independence and territorial integrity of all members of the League. Collective Security urged states to respond to attacks on any League member as f it were an attack on itself.

America and Collective Security in League of Nations and Why America didn't join League of Nations

Many Americans thought that USA entering the League and upholding collective security= obligating American troops to fight in conflicts abroad. They worried that joining League would threaten sovereignty in USA. Also, President Woodrow Wilson's conflicts with congressional Leaders hampered any possibilities for compromise .Wilson, a Democrat, did not include Republicans in the drafting of the League of Nations. In response, his opponents in the Senate were skeptical of his ideas and, in 1920, rejected US participation in League.

Summary of the part "How did the end of the Cold War affect relations in the UN?:

- By the end of the Cold War, UN membership almost quadrupled since the UN Charter was signed. - Cooperation among the permanent UN Security Council members grew, but demands brought by the rapidly changing world on the UN were greater than ever. The changing world also required the Security Council to consider the reach of its authority. - The question of how to confront global concerns has ignited discussions of the pros and cons of a global organization. In one perspective, the UN is uniquely positioned to address these concerns. -On the other hand, actions of the UN often required countries to voluntarily give up some of their sovereignty. As a result, controversial questions often arise about when and how the UN should act.

The Security Council

- The Security Council is the UN body responsible for peace and security. It is the most powerful of the six organs of the UN. - All UN member states are legally required to abide to resolutions of the UN Security Council. - Only fifteen states can be members of the UN Security Council - 10 of the 15 seats of the Security Council are for elected non-permanent states. - Elections for Security Council seats are held for 5 seats per 2 years. Terms are for four years. - Out of the 10 elected Security Council Seats, 5 are reserved for African or Asian states, 2 to Latin American States, one to an Eastern European state, and 2 to Western European states. -The 5 remaining Security Council Seats are reserved for the 5 permanent members of the Security Council: USA, UK, France, China, Russia. -In order for a resolution in the Security Council to pass, 9 out the 15 members of the Council must vote in favor of it and no member country uses its veto power.

Self-determination

-Self-determination is the second principle of the UN Charter. -Self determination is the right of a people to chose their own government. -Self determination has inspired nations to challenge their empires that rule them.

Territorial Integrity

-Territorial Integrity is third principle of the UN Charter - Territorial Integrity is the idea that international boundaries should not be changed by force. -The UN is committed to upholding international boundaries.

The Cold War's effects on the UN

-The concerns of UN member states over the veto power proved valid during the Cold War, a long drawn-out conflict between the US and the Soviet Union. This caused over a century of non-cooperation between the two states and their allies. -The Cold War limited the UN Security Council's ability to act. During the Cold War, the Security Council passed only 15 resolutions while today, it passes one resolution per week.

Sovereignty

-The first principle of the UN Charter is the sovereignty of all member states. -Sovereignty is the absolute authority of the state to govern itself without outside interference. Governments support the UN on the condition that their sovereignty is respected. -The UN prioritizes sovereignty because it learned a lesson from the League, who interfered with state sovereignty. The League's interference with state sovereignty caused countries to withdraw from the organization, which led to the League's collapse.

Fundamental Principles of the UN Charter

-UN Charter is the first international treaty of its scale and is one of the most important documents in international relations. -A number of statements in Charter are areas of debate and dispute. -Values that the UN Charter prioritizes" 1. Sovereignty 2. Self Determination 3. Territorial Intergrerty

Choosing A Headquarters for UN

-UN's headquarters is now located at New York City. -The decision to house UN in USA marked a new phase in history of international community because prior to the two world wars Europe was the center of international politics. - World War I and II made European stability uncertain. -After World War II, US emerged as a strong and stable political player on the international stage. -Switzerland, which housed the League of Nations, did not wand to host the UN because it wanted to maintain neutrality after World War II. -Failure of League of Nations had made Europe a bad choice for site of UN. -Many believed that hosting UN headquarters in UN helps engage Americans in world politics. The technological strength, democratic media, and available facilities in USA made it a good choice to host UN in US. Americans thought that hosting the UN headquarters would enable the country to spread American values and interests around the world. -Thirty states voted yes to host UN in US while 14 voted no. -US cities like Boston, San Francisco, and Philadelphia and New York competed to host the UN. In the end, New York City won. -US oil businessman John D. Rockefeller offered UN $8.5 million to purchase a specific piece of property in New York. The deal was made and UN set its headquarters in New York in early 1946.

Self-determination downsides/areas of dispute

-World leaders often view self-determination struggles as a threat to world peace and stability. -Fully upholding self determination will result to the creation of thousands of states because there are so many ethnic groups. -What sorts of nations should be supported by the UN if they want to create their own state? This is a question of dispute.

How was UN established

1. Discussion and drafting of the new organization (UN)'s design and purpose began in 1940. Four main players in discussion were wartime allies USA, UK, China and Russia 2. UN founding document (the UN Charter) was signed by 50 states.

Causes of League of Nation's Failure

1. League lacked effective system for enforcing 2. did not have power to compel sovereign states to respect its authority, 3. Members had little motivation and cause to honor their pledges of cooperating to stop aggression, protect human rights, and limit production and spread of weapons, 4. League required unanimous decisions, which slowed down League's speed in taking actions, differences in opinions prevented League from acting in man cases 5. League was not an international organization. The League of nations Covenant authors were enemies of Germany during world war I, so they were anti-Germany and excluded Germany. Britain and France also excluded the Soviet Union and other important countries from League. This exclusion along with the USA not joining League diminished League's credibility as an international entity. Also, League failed because it failed to prevent World War II.

Conditions that made UN possible

1. US attitude towards international collaboration was more favorable. After attack of Pearl harbor and US entrance into World War II, Americans began to see themselves as vulnerable and connected to other countries. 2. US president Franklin Roosevelt spearheaded creation of UN. 3. Roosevelt reflected upon Wilson's failure to get League passed in Congress. So Roosevelt did not bring the UN Charter to Congress for approval until he had enough votes to guarantee ratification. 4. League's reputation as tool of Britain and France made people, especially the US wary and suspicious, so the formation of the UN was demanded.

League of Nations

An organization of states whose establishment was spearheaded by US president Woodrow Wilson. League is founded on concept of an international community. League created because state sovereignty alone could not prevent war. Something was needed to govern the interactions between sovereign states.

Role of Harry S. Truman in creating UN

Continued to work on creating UN after US president Franklin D. Roosevelt's death.

Developments of UN during Cold War

During the Cold War, the UN had three major developments: 1. The UN invented peacekeeping operations and began its first operation in 1948. During the Cold War there were 18 peacekeeping operations. 2. Developing nations found the UN forum a good place to voice their concerns. 3. The UN has developed into an international leader on issues of development, human rights, and the environment.

Role of League of Nations

End and prevent conflicts, eliminate secret treaties and cause of war through open diplomacy, securing freedom of the seas, developing free trade, and reducing production and trade of arms.

Veto Power

Only the five permanent members of the UN Security Council are granted the veto power, the power to reject Security Council decisions. Even if 14 out of the 15 Security Council Representatives vote for a resolution, the remaining country who happens to be a permanent member of the Council can reject the resolution with its veto power.

States

Oversees distinct geographic regions, is a system of government that presides over a defined geographic area, may contain one or more nations within their boundaries.

U.S. President Related to League of Nations

President Woodrow Wilson, whose proposal for international organization (League of Nations) led statesmen from around the world to give real thought to organizing the international community.

Ideas in League of Nations

Respecting state sovereignty in League of nations would promote international order. League hoped that international cooperation would address hunger, deprivation, poverty, racism, exploitation, slavery, and disease. League hoped that if states hold one another responsible for preserving peace, they would be more conscious in international relationships. In this way Wilson hoped that the League of Nations would be the conscience of the world. League upheld collective security.

The Economic and Social Council

The Economic and Social Council coordinates the work of the UN specialized agencies, functional committees, and regional commissions that do much of the UN's work.

The General Assembly

The General Assembly is composed of representatives from every member state of the UN. Votes in the General Assembly carry moral weight but are not binding.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the judicial organ of the UN. Cases come before the ICJ only when when all parties involved agree to be present in court.

The Trusteeship Council

The Trusteeship Council oversaw the transition of colonies to self-government or independence. It ceased operations on November 1, 1994.

The Structure of the UN

The UN are divided into sections called organs. The six principle organs the UN are: - The Security Council - The General Assembly - The Secretariat - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) - The Economic and Social Council - The Trusteeship Council Only the Security Council, the executive body of the UN, has legal right to enforce its decisions through diplomatic or military action.

Why are the permanent members of the UN Security Council granted the veto power?

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council, or the five major powers, were worried that their countries might be obligated to intervene in conflicts that neither concern nor interest them. They also knew that they were responsible for funding UN activities. With these two reasons the five permanent members of the UN Security Council granted themselves the veto power to ensure that they get the final say in Security Council resolutions.

Areas of Debate Regarding UN

U.S. cooperation with UN, UN's effectiveness, UN's fairness (ex. serving only interests of powerful countries), whether UN Security Council permanent member states should have veto power or not

Downsides/areas of dispute regarding the UN principle of Sovereignty

UN gives the permanent members of the UN Security Council (USA, UK, France, China, Russia) authoritative power over others.

Five permanent UN Security Council Members

USA, China, France, UK, Russia. These states were all victors of World War 2.

U.S. Commitment in UN Today

Uncertain at best