Maharashtra Board Class 9 Political Science Chapter 4 The United Nations PDF Download

The United Nations (UN)

What are we going to learn in this chapter? The United Nations, an international organisation was established to ensure peace and security at the international level. In the present chapter, we shall study its objectives, principles, structure and role in securing peace.

The United Nations: A Background

Two world wars were fought at the start of the twentieth century. Life and property were destroyed on a large scale in these wars. As a result, the League of Nations was established after the First World War and the United Nations was established after the Second World War out of a realisation that there has to be a mechanism to establish world peace. The League of Nations did not succeed at all. But after the use of the nuclear weapons in the Second World War, the idea took root that such destructive wars should be stopped and that it is the collective responsibility of all nations to do so. The United Nations was established after the Second World War to instill this understanding among all nations.

Chronology of the establishment of the United Nations

The Atlantic Treaty was signed between Prime Minister of England Sir Winston Churchill and American President Franklin D Roosevelt during the Second World War on 14th August 1941. According to this treaty, a decision was taken to set up a permanent mechanism to establish international security after the Second World War was over. Detailed discussions followed on this decision in two conferences among allied powers in 1944 and 1945 and a draft of the treaty to establish an international organisation was prepared. At San Francisco in America, representatives of fifty countries drafted the Charter of the United Nations after discussions. As soon as the war got over, the Charter was signed on 24th October 1945 and the United Nations was established. The United Nations is an international organisation of sovereign nations.

Did India participate in the conferences during the Second World War?

Which day is celebrated as United Nations day?

Teacher's Note

The UN was made after World War 2 to keep peace between countries. Just like your school principal makes rules so students don't fight, the UN makes rules so countries don't fight.

Exam Trick

Remember: UN = United Nations. Think UN = United to stop Nations from fighting. It is like a big group of countries saying "Let us stay together and be peaceful."

Points to Remember

The UN was started in 1945 after World War 2 ended.
It has 193 member countries now, but started with only 50 countries.
The UN wants to keep world peace and stop wars.
All countries in the UN are equal, whether they are big or small.
The UN helps solve problems between countries in a peaceful way.

The Objectives of the United Nations

The United Nations is the world's largest international organisation. In the beginning, only 50 countries were members of the United Nations. Today, this number has gone up to 193. All these member nations come together on the platform of the United Nations. The United Nations has its own definite objectives. Briefly, the United Nations takes up all necessary measures for establishing international peace.

To establish friendly relations among nations.

To enhance international security by solving international disputes.

To safeguard and foster human rights and freedom.

Along with these, the United Nations also aim at enhancing economic cooperation at the international level.

Teacher's Note

The UN tries to help all countries work together. For example, when two states in India fight over water, the government helps them make peace. The UN does the same for countries.

Exam Trick

Remember the three main objectives: Peace, Rights, and Cooperation. Peace = no wars. Rights = everyone is treated well. Cooperation = countries work together like teammates.

Points to Remember

The UN wants to make peace between all countries.
The UN helps countries solve fights without weapons.
The UN protects human rights and freedom for everyone.
The UN helps countries work together on money and business matters.
All countries promise to follow UN rules and laws.

All member countries are bound by duty to respect the diplomatic privileges of sovereign nations, not to attack other countries and abide by international law and treaties.

The United Nations is an organisation created by the coming together of sovereign nations. Naturally, it is based on certain principles or rules. They are briefly stated as follows:

Principles of United Nations

1. All member nations will have the same status. There is no discrimination among nations based on geographical size, economic or military power.

2. All member nations of the United Nations should respect the freedom and geographical unity of other member nations.

3. All member nations should solve their international disputes and mutual differences by peaceful means.

Can the United Nations intervene militarily if there is a serious threat to international peace?

What steps have the United Nations taken to foster human rights and freedom?

Teacher's Note

The UN has rules like your classroom rules. Just like your teacher says "no fighting" and "respect everyone," the UN says the same thing to all countries.

Exam Trick

Remember: Principles = Rules. The three main rules are: All countries are equal, Respect each other, Solve fights peacefully. Write these three and you will get marks!

Points to Remember

All countries in the UN have equal power, big or small.
Countries must respect other countries' borders and freedom.
Countries must solve their problems without using weapons.
No country can attack another country.
All countries must follow international laws and treaties.

Structure of the United Nations

The United Nations Charter describes the structure and functioning of the organisation:

The United Nations has six main organs:

1. General Assembly 2. Security Council 3. Economic and Social Council 4. International Court of Justice 5. Trusteeship Council 6. Secretariat

Teacher's Note

The UN has different parts, like your school has a principal, teachers, and office staff. Each part has different jobs to do for the school to work well.

Exam Trick

Remember: Six organs = six parts. Think: Assembly = talk, Security = protect, Court = decide, Council = plan, Secretariat = work, Trusteeship = help. Each has a different job!

Points to Remember

The UN has six main parts called organs.
Each organ has different jobs and responsibilities.
The General Assembly has all countries as members.
The Security Council has 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members.
The International Court of Justice solves disputes between countries.

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