The United Nations

United Nations (UN)

An international peacekeeping organization and forum for resolving conflicts between nations, established after World War II.

League of Nations

An international organization created after World War I for peaceful dispute resolution, replaced by the UN after World War II due to ineffectiveness.

UN Charter

Document outlining the principles and functions of the United Nations, influenced by the Atlantic Charter and emphasizing peace, security, international law, economic development, and human rights.

General Assembly

The main deliberative body of the UN where every member country is represented, convening annually to discuss and vote on important global issues.

Security Council

Composed of permanent members (US, UK, France, Russia, China) and rotating non-permanent members, responsible for resolving international conflicts and enforcing decisions through UN peacekeepers.

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

Established to promote international economic and social cooperation and development, particularly in the developing world.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The judicial organ of the UN located in the Hague, Netherlands, responsible for hearing legal disputes between states and issuing legal opinions.

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, impacting the UN's peacekeeping mission due to disunity and propaganda efforts by the superpowers.

Decolonization

The process by which former colonial territories gained independence, transforming the UN's composition and functions in the 1950s and 1960s towards supporting newly independent countries and human rights enforcement.