International Organisations | Class 12 Political Science Notes

Founding of the United Nations

The United Nations (UN) was founded in the aftermath of the Second World War to prevent future global conflicts and promote international cooperation. Its origins trace back to several key events during World War II. In August 1941, the Atlantic Charter was signed by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, outlining shared goals for the post-war world. In January 1942, 26 Allied nations met in Washington, D.C., to support the Atlantic Charter and signed the 'Declaration by United Nations,' pledging to fight the Axis Powers.

Subsequent conferences, such as the Tehran Conference in December 1943 and the Yalta Conference in February 1945, involved the major Allied powers (US, Britain, Soviet Union) discussing the formation of a new international organisation. The United Nations Conference on International Organisation was held in San Francisco from April to May 1945, where the UN Charter was drafted and signed by 50 nations on June 26, 1945 (Poland signed later, making 51 founding members).

The UN officially came into existence on October 24, 1945, a date now celebrated as UN Day. India joined the UN on October 30, 1945. The UN was created as a successor to the League of Nations, which had failed to prevent the Second World War. The UN aimed to maintain international peace and security, promote social and economic development, and provide a platform for dialogue among nations.

The founding of the UN reflected the desire of the international community to build a more effective organisation that could prevent the horrors of war and foster cooperation among states.

📊 Diagram: Poster from the US Office of War Information featuring flags of Allied nations, reflecting the wartime origins of the UN.

🔗 Connection: Introduces the structure and principal organs of the UN, explaining how the organisation functions to achieve its goals.