The road to the United Nations

International Law

Part 1: The League of Nations1918: WWI ends;

nations need a way to agree on terms of peace

1919: Paris Peace Conference; losing nations (e.g. Germany) not invited; U.K., France, Italy and U.S. dominate

They agree on the Treaty of Versailles The first League of Nations

meeting

Treaty of VersaillesToV outlines reparations (payments and actions defeated countries must undertake to compensate winning countries for losses during WWI)

ToV also outlines a new organization called the League of Nations.

Allied delegates watch the German delegates sign the treaty; June 28, 1919

League of NationsOriginal LoN had four permanent members

(UK, France, Italy, Japan). The US did not join because the Senate would not ratify the ToV.

Over its history, the LoN had between 44 and 63 member nations; some withdrew and some were expelled.

Goals of the LoNThe goal of the LoN was to preserve peace

and avoid war. It failed miserably.Case studies:

1931: Japan invades China. LoN forms a committee; does not order Japan to return land. Japan leaves LoN.

1935: Italy attacks Ethiopia. Ethiopia asks for help; LoN imposes economic sanctions against Italy. Italy leaves LoN.

1930s: Hitler’s rise to power. LoN looks for compromise.

The United NationsTowards the end of WWII, nations tried to

form a new group and avoid the mistakes of the LoN.

In 1945, 50 countries drew up the Charter of the United Nations.

Major players were the Allied victors (US, UK, USSR, China). They intended to lead the UN.

United Nations Membership over time

Goals of the UNMaintain international peace and security.Develop friendly relations among nations.Facilitate problem solving for social,

economic, cultural and humanitarian issues

Charter requirementsAll members are equalAll members must fulfill their charter

obligationsDisputes should be settled peacefully.The UN will not interfere in domestic

affairs.

The General AssemblyEvery member of

the UN is represented (one vote per country).

Meets regular and for urgent issues.

Major issues (wars, security, new member admission) need a 2/3 majority; other matters need 50%+1.

The UN Security CouncilRoles if to maintain international peace and

securityCouncil is made up of 5 permanent

members, and 10 nations elected to serve for two year terms.

Permanent Members of the Security CouncilAny guesses?Hint - there are fiveHint - think about who would have the most power and influence post WWII.

Permanent Members: A Big Hint

Permanent membersFrance, Russia, Great Britain, United States

China.

Question 1: Why set it up with these 5 (hint: think post-WWII)

Question 2: Any problems now? (hint: who’s missing?)

How the security council works1. Need 9 votes out of 152. Doesn’t work if any permanent member

votes no.

Question 1: Problems with this strategy? (Hint: who might disagree?)

Security Council Case Study1990: Iraq invades KuwaitSecurity Council votes to try

economic sanctions firstThen votes to use “all means

necessary” to restore peace and security to Kuwait.

UK, US, France, Russia vote yes on this measure, China abstains.

Result: invade Kuwait, restore peace in 6 weeks.