1. The road to the United Nations
International Law
The road to the United Nations

2. Part 1: The League of Nations
1918: 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

3. Treaty of Versailles
ToV 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

4. League of Nations
Original 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.

6. Goals of the LoN
The 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.

7. The United Nations
Towards 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.

8. United Nations Membership over time

9. Goals of the UN Maintain international peace and security.
Develop friendly relations among nations.
Facilitate problem solving for social, economic, cultural and humanitarian issues
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10. Charter requirements All members are equal
All members must fulfill their charter obligations
Disputes should be settled peacefully.
The UN will not interfere in domestic affairs.

11. The General Assembly
Every member of the UN is represented (one vote per country).
Meets regularly and for urgent issues.
Major issues (wars, security, new member admission) need a 2/3 majority; other matters need 50%+1.

12. The UN Security Council
Role is to maintain international peace and security
Council is made up of 5 permanent members, and 10 nations elected to serve for two year terms.

13. Permanent Members of the Security Council
Any guesses?
Hint - there are five
Hint - think about who would have the most power and influence post WWII.

14. Permanent Members: A Big Hint

15. Permanent members France, 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?)

16. How the security council works
1. Need 9 votes out of 15
2. Doesn’t work if any permanent member votes no.
Question 1: Problems with this strategy? (Hint: who might disagree?)

17. Security Council Case Study
1990: Iraq invades Kuwait
Security Council votes to try economic sanctions first
Then 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.

18. Discussion Questions
Should the UN get involved in the Russia/Crimea situation? If so, when?
Is the UN a body that enforces real law as you believe the law to be?