The United Nations: Origin, Objectives, and Structure
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1.The idea for an international organization to prevent future wars was first proposed by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson after which war?
a) American Civil War
b) World War I
c) World War II
d) Korean War
Answer: b) World War I
2.The precursor to the United Nations, which ultimately failed to prevent World War II, was the:
a) Concert of Europe
b) League of Nations
c) United Nations Organization
d) Geneva Convention
Answer: b) League of Nations
3.The term "United Nations" was first coined by which U.S. President?
a) Woodrow Wilson
b) Franklin D. Roosevelt
c) Harry S. Truman
d) Dwight D. Eisenhower
Answer: b) Franklin D. Roosevelt
4.The United Nations Charter was signed in which city in 1945?
a) New York
b) London
c) San Francisco
d) Geneva
Answer: c) San Francisco
5.On what date did the United Nations officially come into existence?
a) January 1, 1942
b) June 26, 1945
c) October 24, 1945
d) December 10, 1948
Answer: c) October 24, 1945
6.Which of the following is NOT one of the main purposes (objectives) of the United Nations?
a) To maintain international peace and security
b) To develop friendly relations among nations
c) To intervene in the internal affairs of sovereign states to impose democracy
d) To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems
Answer: c) To intervene in the internal affairs of sovereign states to impose democracy
7.How many member states signed the original UN Charter in 1945?
a) 30
b) 50
c) 51
d) 193
Answer: c) 51
8.Which is the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN?
a) Security Council
b) General Assembly
c) Economic and Social Council
d) International Court of Justice
Answer: b) General Assembly
9.How many permanent members are there in the UN Security Council?
a) 5
b) 10
c) 15
d) 193
Answer: a) 5
10.Which of the following countries is NOT a permanent member of the UN Security Council?
a) China
b) Germany
c) France
d) Russia
Answer: b) Germany
11.What special power do the permanent members of the Security Council possess?
a) Veto power
b) Power to declare war
c) Power to admit new members
d) Power to control the UN budget
Answer: a) Veto power
12.The principal judicial organ of the United Nations is the:
a) International Criminal Court
b) World Court
c) International Court of Justice
d) Permanent Court of Arbitration
Answer: c) International Court of Justice
13.The Secretariat of the UN is headed by the:
a) President of the General Assembly
b) President of the Security Council
c) Secretary-General
d) Director-General
Answer: c) Secretary-General
14.The current Secretary-General of the United Nations is (as of current knowledge cutoff):
a) Kofi Annan
b) Ban Ki-moon
c) António Guterres
d) Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Answer: c) António Guterres
15.The UN organ responsible for coordinating the economic, social, and related work of the UN and its specialized agencies is the:
a) General Assembly
b) Security Council
c) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
d) Trusteeship Council
Answer: c) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
16.What was the primary role of the Trusteeship Council, which suspended operations in 1994?
a) To manage the UN budget
b) To oversee the transition of trust territories to self-governance or independence
c) To mediate disputes between member states
d) To manage UN peacekeeping operations
Answer: b) To oversee the transition of trust territories to self-governance or independence
17.Where is the International Court of Justice located?
a) New York, USA
b) Geneva, Switzerland
c) The Hague, Netherlands
d) Vienna, Austria
Answer: c) The Hague, Netherlands
18.Which principle states that the UN cannot intervene in matters essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state?
a) Principle of collective security
b) Principle of non-intervention
c) Principle of self-determination
d) Principle of sovereign equality
Answer: b) Principle of non-intervention
19.The UN's emphasis on human rights is enshrined in which landmark document adopted in 1948?
a) Convention on the Rights of the Child
b) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
c) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
d) Geneva Conventions
Answer: b) Universal Declaration of Human Rights
20.The primary purpose for the establishment of the United Nations was to:
a) Promote global trade
b) Prevent another devastating world war
c) Colonize former territories
d) Establish a world government
Answer: b) Prevent another devastating world war
II. Fill in the Blanks
The League of Nations was the _______________ to the United Nations.
The term "United Nations" was first used by U.S. President _______________.
The UN Charter was signed in San Francisco on June 26, _______________.
The United Nations officially came into existence on _______________, 1945.
The main objective of the UN is to maintain international _______________ and security.
The _______________ is the main deliberative and policymaking organ of the UN.
The UN Security Council has 5 permanent members and _______________ non-permanent members.
The five permanent members of the Security Council are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the _______________.
The administrative head of the United Nations is the _______________.
The International Court of Justice is based at _______________ in the Netherlands.
Fill in the Blanks Answers:
predecessor
Franklin D. Roosevelt
1945
October 24
peace
General Assembly
10
United States
Secretary-General
The Hague
III. Short Answer Questions (2-3 Marks Each)
1.Why was the League of Nations considered a failure?
Answer: The League of Nations failed largely due to its lack of enforcement power, as it had no standing army and relied on voluntary cooperation. Key nations like the U.S. never joined, and aggressive powers like Germany, Italy, and Japan withdrew, leaving it unable to prevent major aggressions that led to WWII.
2.When and where was the UN Charter signed, and when did the UN officially come into existence?
Answer: The UN Charter was signed on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco, USA. The United Nations officially came into existence on October 24, 1945, after the Charter was ratified by the majority of the signatory states, including the five permanent members of the Security Council.
3.List two main objectives (purposes) of the United Nations.
Answer: Two main objectives are: 1) To maintain international peace and security by preventing conflicts and taking collective measures against threats to peace. 2) To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.
4.Briefly describe the composition and role of the UN General Assembly.
Answer: The General Assembly is the main deliberative and representative organ of the UN, where all 193 member states have equal representation and one vote. Its role is to discuss international issues, make recommendations on peace and security, adopt resolutions, elect non-permanent members to the Security Council, and approve the UN budget.
5.Identify the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Answer: The five permanent members of the UN Security Council are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
6.What is the 'veto power' in the UN Security Council, and why is it significant?
Answer: The 'veto power' allows any of the five permanent members of the Security Council to block the adoption of any substantive resolution, regardless of the level of support it has. It is significant because it can prevent the Council from taking action on critical issues, reflecting the great power dynamics of the post-WWII era.
7.What is the role of the UN Secretary-General?
Answer: The Secretary-General is the chief administrative officer of the UN, serving as its chief diplomat and advocate for global issues. They bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in their opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.
8.What is the primary function of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)?
Answer: ECOSOC serves as the central forum for discussing international economic, social, environmental, and development issues. It coordinates the work of the UN's specialized agencies, funds, and programs (like WHO, UNICEF) and promotes international cooperation for sustainable development.
9.Where is the International Court of Justice located, and what is its main role?
Answer: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is located at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. Its main role is to settle legal disputes between states and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.
10.Explain the principle of 'sovereign equality' as applied in the United Nations.
Answer: The principle of 'sovereign equality' means that all member states of the United Nations are equal in terms of their sovereignty, regardless of their size or power. This principle ensures that each member state has one vote in the General Assembly and that the UN does not interfere in the domestic affairs of states.
IV. Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)
1.Discuss the historical context and the primary reasons for the establishment of the United Nations after World War II, distinguishing it from its predecessor, the League of Nations.
Answer:
The United Nations emerged directly from the devastation of World War II, which underscored the catastrophic failure of its predecessor, the League of Nations. The historical context was one of unprecedented global conflict, mass atrocities (like the Holocaust), and the advent of atomic weapons, which highlighted the urgent need for a more robust international mechanism for peace. The primary reason for the UN's establishment was to prevent another world war. Leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill recognized that collective security and international cooperation were essential for global stability.
The UN was designed to overcome the weaknesses of the League of Nations. Unlike the League, which lacked effective enforcement power and U.S. membership, the UN Charter gave the Security Council (with its five permanent members holding veto power) the authority to take binding action, including military force, to maintain peace. The UN also adopted a broader mandate, extending beyond merely preventing war to addressing economic, social, and humanitarian issues, recognizing that these factors contribute to conflict. The inclusion of the major victorious powers (USA, USSR, UK, France, China) as permanent members with veto power aimed to ensure their commitment and prevent future great power conflicts, which had plagued the League.
2.Explain the main objectives of the United Nations as enshrined in its Charter. How does the pursuit of these objectives contribute to global peace and progress?
Answer:
The main objectives of the United Nations, as set out in its Charter, form the bedrock of its global mission. Firstly, and foremost, is to maintain international peace and security. This involves preventing conflicts, mediating disputes, deploying peacekeeping missions, and imposing sanctions when necessary. Secondly, it aims to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, fostering a global community rather than antagonistic blocs. Thirdly, the UN seeks to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Lastly, it aims to be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.
The pursuit of these objectives contributes to global peace and progress by:
Providing a Forum for Dialogue: The UN offers a universal platform (General Assembly, Security Council) for nations to discuss, debate, and resolve issues peacefully, reducing the likelihood of armed conflict.
Promoting Collective Security: Through the Security Council, the UN can authorize collective action against aggressors, theoretically deterring states from violating international law.
Addressing Root Causes of Conflict: By focusing on economic development, social justice, human rights, and humanitarian aid (through ECOSOC and its agencies), the UN tackles the underlying drivers of instability and conflict.
Setting International Norms: The UN creates international law, treaties, and declarations (like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) that establish global standards for state behavior and human welfare.
Facilitating Humanitarian Response: Its agencies provide vital aid in crises, saving lives and alleviating suffering, which often prevents local conflicts from escalating.
Thus, the UN strives to build a world where nations cooperate on shared challenges, upholding peace and human dignity.
3.Describe the principal organs of the United Nations and their respective functions. Highlight how their interconnections contribute to the overall functioning of the organization.
Answer:
The United Nations operates through six principal organs, each with distinct functions but interconnected to fulfill the organization's overarching goals.
General Assembly (GA): This is the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ, comprising all 193 member states, each with one vote. It discusses a wide range of international issues, adopts resolutions (non-binding), approves the UN budget, and elects non-permanent members of the Security Council and members of other UN bodies.
Security Council (SC): Charged with the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, it has 15 members: 5 permanent (China, France, Russia, UK, US) with veto power, and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. It can impose sanctions, authorize peacekeeping operations, and even military action.
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Consisting of 54 members elected by the GA, ECOSOC coordinates the economic, social, environmental, and humanitarian work of the UN system. It oversees various specialized agencies (e.g., WHO, UNICEF) and commissions, promoting international cooperation for sustainable development.
Trusteeship Council: Established to oversee the transition of trust territories (former colonies or mandates) to self-governance or independence. Having completed its mission, it suspended operations in 1994, though it officially still exists.
International Court of Justice (ICJ): The principal judicial organ of the UN, located in The Hague. It settles legal disputes between states and provides advisory opinions on legal questions referred by authorized UN organs.
Secretariat: Composed of the Secretary-General (the UN's chief administrative officer and diplomat) and thousands of international UN staff members worldwide. It carries out the day-to-day work of the UN as mandated by the General Assembly and Security Council, from administering peacekeeping operations to preparing reports and studies.
Interconnections:
The General Assembly provides broad policy guidance to the Security Council and other organs and elects their members.
The Security Council acts on issues of peace and security, often relying on the Secretariat for logistical and administrative support for peacekeeping and diplomatic initiatives.
ECOSOC's work on economic and social development often addresses root causes of conflict, supporting the Security Council's peace efforts.
The ICJ provides legal interpretations crucial for international law, which guides the work of all organs.
The Secretariat serves as the administrative backbone for all other organs, implementing their decisions and preparing their work. This interconnected structure allows the UN to address complex global challenges comprehensively, leveraging different strengths across its various specialized bodies.
