The Changing Role Of International Organisations: The League And The UN, 1919-c2011
Overview
Twice in the twentieth century the world's governments tried to build an organisation that would make large-scale war unnecessary, and twice they built something less powerful than they had promised. The League of Nations settled real disputes in the 1920s and then watched two of its own members invade other countries in the 1930s. The United Nations was designed specifically to correct the League's faults, and spent its first forty-five years paralysed by a veto that the design deliberately included.
This is a topic where the judgement matters more than the narrative, because assessments of both organisations vary sharply among historians. Some measure them against the wars they failed to prevent; others against what would have existed in their absence. Your task is to hold both standards in view and say which you are using.
Objectives
- The creation and successes of the League, 1919-29: Woodrow Wilson, the Covenant, membership, Assembly, Council, Secretariat, successes including the Aaland Islands, Upper Silesia, the Greek-Bulgarian War
- The League challenged, 1930-39: the roles of the Great Powers, failures in Manchuria and Abyssinia, the continuing work of specialised agencies
- Setting up the United Nations Organisation and its work to 1964: the UN Charter, structural problems, General Assembly, Security Council, peacekeeping forces, UN agencies including ILO, WHO, FAO, UNESCO and UNICEF, the UN role in Palestine, Korea and the Congo
- The UN challenged, 1967-89: the Middle East including Resolutions 242 and 338, Lebanon, Namibia, the problem of the Permanent 5, the continuing work of specialised agencies
- The UN at bay, 1990-2011: identity wars including Somalia, Bosnia, the Balkans, Mozambique and Sudan, the Gulf Wars, obstacles to success
Mind map
This topic is mapped out so you can see how the ideas connect.
Open the mind map in the app
Flashcards
Quick recall practice on the facts this topic is tested on.
Practise these cards in the app
Lesson Note
Complete Note Available on the Green Bridge App
Get the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer for the complete IGCSE library: past papers, mark schemes, mind maps, flashcards and audio lessons.
Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on The Changing Role Of International Organisations: The League And The UN, 1919-c2011. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Why did the United States never join the League of Nations? A) President Wilson opposed the idea B) The US Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles C) The League refused US membership D) The USA joined and then resigned in 1923 Answer: B
- Which of these was a League success in the 1920s? A) The Corfu incident of 1923 B) The Manchurian crisis C) The Aaland Islands dispute of 1921 D) The Abyssinian crisis Answer: C
- Which commodity was excluded from the League's sanctions against Italy in 1935? A) Coal B) Oil C) Rubber D) Iron ore Answer: B
- Why was the UN able to authorise a force for Korea in 1950? A) The veto had been abolished B) The Soviet Union was boycotting the Security Council and so did not veto it C) The General Assembly overruled the Security Council D) China supported the resolution Answer: B
- Which UN resolution, passed in November 1967, linked Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories to recognition of the security of every state in the region? A) Resolution 181 B) Resolution 194 C) Resolution 242 D) Resolution 338 Answer: C
Work through these questions in the app
Work through these questions in the app
Recommended Books
Practice Mock Questions
Want to practice mock questions on The Changing Role Of International Organisations: The League And The UN, 1919-c2011? Download the Green Bridge CBT app to access mock questions and full practice assessments for this topic.
Download The App On Google Playstore
Everything you need to excel in your exams
