Description
At the end of World War II, several key world leaders got together to establish a new organization committed to preventing future world wars. In 1945, the United Nations was formed with 51 countries signing a charter that created the organization. At the conference in San Francisco, this photo shows Secretary of State Edward Stettinius signing the United Nations Charter while President Harry S. Truman (second from left) looks on. The United States delegation is gathered about.
The United Nations still exists today with five stated goals: maintain international peace and security, protect human rights, deliver humanitarian aid, promote sustainable development and uphold international law. Part of the charter is the idea that "an attack on one is an attack on all." The first test of this agreement came five years later, when North Korea crossed the 38th parallel into South Korea. United Nations members sent military troops and support from across the world to the Korean peninsula.
Source-Dependent Questions
- At the end of World War II, several key world leaders got together to establish a new organization committed to preventing future world wars - the United Nations. What would be the benefits of counties banding together to start this organization? Are there any drawbacks?
- The United Nations still exists today with five stated goals: maintain international peace and security, protect human rights, deliver humanitarian aid, promote sustainable development and uphold international law. Discuss each of the goals. Why is each important? Speculate as to why the United Nations limited itself to those goals.
Citation Information
"Signing the United Nations Charter," 25 June 1945. Courtesy of Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum