Goyal Brothers Prakashan Class 10 History Solutions Chapter 15 Major Agencies of the United Nations

Question 1.
What is United Nations Organisation?
Answer:
The United Nations Organisation, is an International Organisation comprising a large number of sovereign states. It was set up after the Second World War, to establish permanent peace in the World and to bring about an economic and cultural development of mankind.

P.Q. Mention any two circumstances surrounding the establishment of the United Nations Organisation.
Or
Mention any two reasons why the world leaders decided to set up an international organisation to maintain World Peace after World War II.
Answer:
The destruction and crisis caused by the Second World War was much more than the First World War. Thus, it became necessary to have a world power to check the dangers of future war and maintain peace. Secondly, the failure of League of Nations demanded more concrete International Organisation to maintain world peace.

Question 2.
Name the International Organisation which was set up after the tragedy of the First World War.
Answer:
The League of Nations was established in 1920 at Geneva, after the tragedy of the First World War.

P.Q. Name any two significant milestones in the formation of the United Nations.
Answer:
In June 1941, the representatives of Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa met in London and proposed for the first time to establish an effective organisation to maintain international peace and security. In October 1943, a Conference of the foreign ministers of Britain, America, Russia and China was held at Moscow. A joint communique was issued on 1st November 1943 to establish a new world organisation after the war.

Question 3.
By whom was the name ‘United Nations’ devised?
Answer:
The Name ‘United Nations’ was devised by the President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

P. Q. When did United Nations come into existence?
Answer:
United Nations came into existence on 24th October, 1945.

Question 4.
How many countries signed the UN Charter on 26th June 1945?
Answer:
Fifty member countries signed the UN Charter on 26th June 1945.

Question 5.
How many countries are regarded to be the Original Members of the United Nations?
Answer:
Fifty one member countries are regarded as the Original Members of the United Nations.

Question 6.
When did the United Nations formally come into existence?
Or
Which Day is celebrated the UN Day every year?
Answer:
October 24 is celebrated as the UN day, every year.

Question 7.
Who can become the Member of the United Nations?
Answer:
The Membership is open to all peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the UN Charter.

P. Q. Where are the headquarters of the United Nations located?
Answer:
The United Nations has its head quaters in New York City, USA.
The European office of the UN is in Geneva.

P.Q. Name the official languages of the United Nations.
Answer:
The official languages of the UN are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

P.Q. Give the colour and design of the UN Flag.
Answer:
The UN Flag adopted on October 20, 1947 consists of the UN emblem in white on a light blue background.

Question 8.
Mention any two objectives or purposes (aims) of the United Nations.
Answer:

  1. To maintain international peace and security and to take effective steps for removal of threats to the peace.
  2. To promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.

P.Q- Give any two principles according to which the United Nations shall act
Answer:

  1. All states are sovereign and equal.
  2. All states should settle their disputes by peaceful means and should not interfere in the domestic or international affairs of the state.

Question 9.
Name the four Principal Organs of the United Nations?
Answer:

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

Question 10.
Who constitute the UN General Assembly?
Answer:
The General Assembly is the deliberative organ of the UN. It is composed of all the members of the UN. Each member shall have v- not more than five representatives, but each state in the General Assembly has only one vote.

Question 11.
Give two main functions of the UN General Assembly.
Answer:
The Assembly may discuss any question relating to peace and security. Thus, the UN enjoys the deliberative powers. Secondly, the General Assembly considers and approves the budget of the UN.

Question 12.
Mention two electoral functions of the UN General Assembly.
Answer:
(a) The Assembly elects the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the member of the Economic and Social Council and the elective members of the Trusteeship Council.
(b) It appoints the Secretary-General upon the recommendations of the Security Council.

P.Q. Mention the importance of ‘Uniting for Peace Resolution’ of 1950 in maintaining Peace in the world.
Answer:
If the Security Council is unable to reach a decision because of lack of unanimity among the Permanent members, then the General ) Assembly can make recommendations for collective measures including the use of armed forces in case of breach of peace. Tlius, ‘Uniting for Peace Resolution’ adopted in 1950, strengthened the position of the General Assembly.

Question 13.
Name the Executive Organ (Enforcement Wing) of the United Nations.
Answer:
The Security Council is described as the Enforcement or Executive wing of the United Nations.

Question 14.
What is the main responsibility of the UN Security Council?
Answer:
The Security Council has the main responsibility of maintaining International Peace and Security.

Question 15.
Name the five permanent members of the Security Council.
Answer:

  1. Britain
  2. France
  3. UK
  4. USA
  5. Russia.

Question 16.
How are Non-permanent Members of the Security Council elected?
Answer:
The ten non-permanent members of the Security Council are elected by the General Assembly by two-thirds majority for a two-year term.

Question 17.
What is the term of office of the non-permanent members of the Security Council?
Answer:
Two years.

P.Q. What is meant by Veto power exercisable by Permanent Members of the Security Council?
Answer:
‘Veto power’ implies the power with the permanent members to reject the decisions or recommendations of the Security Council and make them null and void.

Question 18.
Mention any two functions of the Security Council.
Answer:

  • To investigate any dispute or situation that is likely to lead to international friction. Further, to recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement.
  • To recommend to the General Assembly, the appointment of Secretary-General and together with Assembly, to elect judges of the International Court of Justice.

Question 19.
Name the judicial organ of the United Nations.
Answer:
The International Court of the Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

Question 20.
How can a State which is not a member of the United Nations become a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice?
Answer:
Any State, which is not a member of UN became a party to the statute of the International Court of Justice on conditions to be determined by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

P.Q. How are the judges of the International Court of Justice appointed? What is their term of office?
Or
What do you know about the composition of the International Court of Justice?
Answer:
The International Court of Justice consists of 15 judges, elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council voting separately. The judges are elected for a nine-year term, however, they can be re-elected after the expiry of their tenure. Each judge has to be from a different nationality. Only those person are elected as judges, who are qualified in their own country for the highest judicial office. Tire President and Vice President of the Court are elected for three years and may be re-elected when their term expires.

Question 21.
Where is the permanent seat of International Court of Justice located?
Answer:
The International Court of Justice has its permanent headquarters at the Hague, Netherlands.

Question 22.
Mention the functions of the International Court of Justice as regards compulsory jurisdiction.
Answer:

  • Treaties provide that disputes arising under them would be submitted to the court.
  • The jurisdiction of court extends to disputes pertaining to the interpretation of international law and compensation to be made for the breach of an international obligation.

Question 23.
What is the advisory role of the International Court of Justice?
Answer:
The General Assembly or the Security Council may seek an advisory opinion of the court on any legal matter. Further, other Organs of UN and specialised agencies may also request for advisory opinions on legal questions.

Question 24.
What happens if a party to a case disregards the decision of the International Court of Justice?
Answer:
In a case, where one party falls to fulfil its obligation, the other party may have recourse to the Security Council. Then the Council will decide upon measures to be taken to give effect to judgement.

Question 25.
Who appoints the Secretary-General of the United Nations?
Answer:
The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a term of 5 years.

Question 26.
Name the nations which made the announcement called the London Declaration.
Answer:

  • Britain
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • Australia
  • South Africa.

Question 27.
Who enunciated the principles which came to be known as the Atlantic Charter?
Answer:
The British Prime Minister Mr. Chruchill and US President Mr. Roosevelt enunciated the principles which later came to be known as the Atlantic Charter.

Question 28.
Give two principles contained in the Atlantic Charter.
Answer:

  1. The signatories to the Charter would respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  2. They would peacefully settle all disputes without resorting to war.

Question 29.
What is the importance of the Moscow Declaration?
Answer:
Moscow Declaration is important, because the first formal decision to establish United Nations was taken at Moscow in 1943.

Structured Questions

Question 1.
The United Nations was established to be an effective Peace-keeping International Organisation. In this context explain its objectives and purposes.
Answer:
The Preamble and Article 1 of the Charter lays down the objectives and purposes of the UN. They are as follows :

  • To maintain International Peace and Security. This is the primary and most important purpose for which the UN came into being.
  • To develop friendly relations among nations.
  • To achieve International co-operation in solving problems of economic, social, cultural and humanitarian character.
  • To promote respect for International law and International treaties,
  • To create faith in human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person.
  • To promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.
  • To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining these commonond. The UN provides a common platform for discussion of problems and their solution.
    To sum up, the United Nations like the League of Nations has two basic aims to preserve peace and security and to solve economic, social and cultural problems.

P. Q. In pursuit of its purposes, the United Nations is expected to act in accordance with certain Principles. Discuss these Principles?
Answer:
The fundamental Principles of the United Nations aims at achieving and maintaining peace in the world so that the progress and prosperity as well as sovereignty of all nations are ensured. These Principles are as follows :

  • Sovereign equality of all member states.
  • Fulfilment of duties laid down in the Charter by all member nations.
  • Settlement of disputes between member nation by peaceful means.
  • To abstain from use of arms and threat of war.
  • To accept the decisions of the United Nations in all respects.
  • Non-interference of UN in internal matters of a member country.
  • Obliging non-member also to abide by the principles of the UN for maintaining International Peace and Security.

Question 2.
The General Assembly is a kind of Parliament of Nations. In this context, explain briefly :
(a) Its Composition.
(b) Four of its Functions.
(c) Importance of ‘Uniting for Peace Resolution’ of 1950 in maintaining Peace.
Answer:
(a) The General Assembly is the deliberative organ of the UN. It is composed of all the members of the UN. Each state may be represented by upto five delegates, but each of the states has only one vote. The General Assembly meets for its regular sessions from the Third Tuesday of September to the middle of December every year. However, special session can be convened by the member to meet emergency situations. Decisions on important matters like admission of new members, budgetary matters and recommendations of peace and security are taken by a two-thirds majority. While on other questions, decisions are reached by a simple majority.
(b) The functions of the Assembly may be studied under the following heads:

1. Deliberative Functions

  • The General Assembly can discuss any question relating to peace and security.
  • It has the power to make recommendation for the purpose of promoting International Co-operation in the political, economic, social, cultural, education and health fields.

2. Financial Functions

  • The General Assembly considers and approves the budget of the United Nations.
  • The United Nations expenses are borne by members as apportioned by the General Assembly.

3. Electoral Functions

  • The Assembly elects the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the members of the Economic and Social Council and the elective members of the Trusteeship Council.
  • It appoints the Secretary-General upon the recommendations of the Security Council.
  • The General Assembly along with the Security Council elects the members of the International Court of Justice.

4. Amending the UN Charter

  • The General Assembly has the power to amend the Charter.
  • The Resolution for amendment has to be signed by 2/3rds of the members of the Assembly and ratified by 2/’3rds of the member states including all the permanent members of the Security Council.

(e) With the adoption of ‘Uniting for Peace Resolution’ in 1950 the position of the Assembly has been considerably strengthened. If the Security Council is unable to reach a decision, because of lack of unanimity among the Permanent Members, the General Assembly can deal with the problem. It can make recommendations for ‘collective measures’ including the use of armed forces in case of aggression or breach of peace.

Question 3.
The Security Council is a permanently functioning organ of the United Nations. In this context describe the following :
(a) Its Membership.
(b) Four of its Functions.
(c) Veto Power exercisable by its Permanent Members.
Answer:
(a) The Security Council is referred to as the ‘Executive Wing’ of the UN. The Council consists of 15 members, five being the permanent members-China, France, Russia, Britain and USA. The ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly by 2/3rds majority for a two-year term. A retiring member is not eligible for immediate re-election.
(b) The charter casts upon the Security Council, the primary responsibility for the maintenance of International Peace and Security. To discharge this responsibility, the Council is vested with the following powers.

1. Investigatory Role

  • The Council may investigate any dispute or situation which may lead to international friction.
  • It may recommend appropriate procedures or methods of adjusting such disputes.

2. Military Action
The Security Council may resort to military action if it fails to settle dispute by negotiation, mediation or other peaceful means. Military action may include operations by air, sea, or land forces supplied by member-nations.
3. Admission of New Members
New members are admitted by 2/3rds vote of the General Assembly upon the recommendations of the Security Council.

4. Electoral Functions

  • The Security Council participates the election of the Judges of the International Court of Justice.
  • The UN Secretary General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendations of the Security Council.
  • It may ask the International Court of Justice for advisory opinion on any legal matter.

(c) Decisions on ordinary matters are made by atleast nine out of the fifteen members voting in favour of a resolution. Decisions on important matters, require nine votes including the concurring votes of all the five permanent nations. A negative vote by a permanent member is known as Veto. This implies that the Council is powerless to act in the face of veto by any of the permanent members. However, abstention from voting by a permanent member does not amount to veto.

Question 4.
The International Court of Justice is the principal Judicial Organ of the United Nations. In this context, explain the following:
(a) Its Composition
(b) Its Compulsory Jurisdiction
(c) Its Voluntary Jurisdiction
(d) Its Advisory Function.
Answer:
(a) The Court serves as the principal judicial organ of the UN. It consists of 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council separately. The judges are elected for a nine year term. They can be re-elected after the expiry of their tenure. Each judge has to be from a different nationality. Only those persons are elected as judges who are qualified in their own country for the highest judicial office. The President and Vice President of the court are elected for three years and may, when their term expires be re-elected.

(b) The Court possesses Compulsory Jurisdiction into two ways. In the first place, a large number of treaties provide that the dispute arising under them would be submitted to the Court Secondly, the jurisdiction extends to (i) Disputes pertaining to the interpretation of International Law. (ii) compensation to be made for the breach of an International Obligation.

(c) Its jurisdiction covers all cases which the parties refer to it. One party alone may refer the dispute to the Court. If the other party undertakes to defend itself in a case brought before it, the Court interprets it as consent to the reference.

(d) The court may give an advisory opinion on any legal question submitted to it by the General Assembly or the Security Council. Even, other organs of the UN and the specialised agencies may also request advisory opinions on legal matters.

Question 5.
Study the picture given here and answer the questions that follow:
(a) Identify the Organisation that has it as its Emblem. What is the colour and design of the UN Flag?
(b) Where are the headquarters of this Organisation located?
(c) Name the Judicial Organ of this Organisation and explain its Composition.
Or
IIow are the Judges of this Court appointed?
Answer:
(a) The said organisation is the United Nations Organisation (UNO). Principles of the UNO

  • the UNO is based on the sovereign equality of all its members. Each member-nation should perform her duty earnestly according the UN Charter.
  • Each member-nation should settle the disputes by peaceful means so that peace, security and justice are not disturbed in the world.
  • All member-nations will not make use of threat and violence in their international relations.
    The flag is light blue in colour and portrayed in white in its centre is the UN Emblem, a polar map of the world embraced by twin olive branches.

(b) The headquarters of the UNO is located in New York. Membership of the UNO is open to all peace-loving nations which agree with the aim and objective of the UNO and are ready to abide by its principles. The admission, suspension and expulsion of members is decided by the General Assembly on the recommendations of the Security Council, by a 2/3rd majority of votes.

(c) The chief judicial organ of the UNO is the International Court of Justice located at The Hague. It consists of 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council voting separately. The judges work for nine years and may be elected again. Its quorum is fixed at nine.

All decisions are taken by the majority vote of the judges present. The Chief Justice is elected for three years and has got the right to cast vote. Only one judge from a country is elected. The seat of the court is at the Hague in The Netherlands.

Question 5.
Regarding the main milestones in the formation of the United Nations make a brief description of the following developments.
(a) The London Declaration
(b) The Atlantic Charter
(c) The Washington Declaration
(d) The Moscow Declaration.
Answer:
The attempts to establish an effective international organisation to maintain peace had begun a few years before the end of World War II.
ICSE Class 10 Civics Goyal Brothers Solutions Chapter 15 Major Agencies of the United Nations 1f
(a) In June 1941, the representatives of Britain, Canada, New-Zealand, Australia and South Africa met in London. They proposed for the first time to establish an effective organisation to maintain international peace and security. This announcement later came to be known as the London Declaration. The declaration was the first step towards the establishment of UN as it proposed international organisation in place of regional pacts for enduring peace.

(b) In August 1941, the British Prime Minister, Mr. Chruchill and the US President Mr. Roosevelt issued a declaration known as the Atlantic Declaration. It recognised the principle of sovereign equality of all states big or small. It further laid

  • They would peacefully settle all disputes.
  • They would encourage cooperation among nations with a view to ensure economic progress and social security.
  • They recognised the right of each state to frame its constitution and choose its own form of government.
  • In order to achieve the desired objective, the nations must reduce their armed forces and armaments.

(c) The Washington Conference, was held on 1st January, 1942, when representatives of 26 nations signed the United Nations Declaration at Washington. The signatories to this declaration pledged to continue war against the Axis Powers and not to conclude peace treaties separately.

(d) In October 1943, a Conference of the Foreign Ministers of Britain, America, Russia and China was held at Moscow. The Conference recognised the urgency for the establishment of an international organisation. It was also decided that four powers would meet at Dumbarton Oaks to draft the Charter of the United Nations. Thus, the formal decision to establish the UN was taken at Moscow in 1943.

Extra Practice Questions

Question 1.
When was the word ‘United Nations’ first time used?
Answer:
The word ‘United Nations’ was first time used on 1st January, 1942 when representatives of 26 nations signed the ‘United Nations Declaration’ at Washington.

Question 2.
When was the UN charter signed?
Answer:
The UN Charter was signed by fifty participating nations on 26th June, 1945.

Question 3.
Which Conference contained the draft of the UN Charter?
Answer:
Dumbarton Oaks Conference of 1944 contained the draft of the UN Charter.

Question 4.
When and how many members attended the Yalta Conference?
Answer:
The Yalta Conference was held from 4th February, to 11th February, 1945. It was attended by Chruchill, Stalin and Roosevelt.

Question 5.
What was the membership of UN by the end of October 2002?
Answer:
The membership increased to 191 by the end of October 2002.

Question 6.
Which were the 190th and 191st members of the UN?
Answer:
Switzerland and East Timor joined UN as 190th and 191stmembers in September 2002.

Question 7.
Who can admit new members?
Answer:
The admission in UN are made by the General Assembly on the recommendations of the Security Council. Even the suspension and expulsion of members is done by the General Assembly on the recommendations of the Security Council.

Question 8.
(i) Name the working language of the United Nations.
(ii) Name the document that enshrines the purpose of the UN.
Answer:

  • (a) English (b) French.
  • The purpose of the UN are enshrined in the preamble to the UN Charter.

Question 9.
How are decisions arrived at the General Assembly?
Answer:
Decisions on important matters, such as admission of new members, budgetary matters and recommendations on peace and security are taken by a 2/3rd majority. However, decisions on other questions are reached by a simple majority.

Question 10.
How many sessions can be held by the General Assembly?
Answer:
The General Assembly meets for its regular sessions from the third Tuesday of September to the middle of December every year.
However, special sessions of the General Assembly can be convened by the Secretary General at the request of the Security Council or of a majority of the members of the UN.

Question 11.
Is the retiring member in the Security Council eligible for selection.
Answer:
No.

Question 12.
Who appoints the staff of the Secretariat?
Answer:
The staff of the Secretariat is appointed by the Secretary General under regulations established by the General Assembly. Major Agencies of The United Nations.

ICSE History and Civics Class 10 Goyal Brothers Prakashan Solutions

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