Cold War and Cold War and DecolonizationDecolonization

United Nations United Nations Established on 24 October 1945 Established on 24 October 1945 At its founding, the UN had 51 member states (now 193)At its founding, the UN had 51 member states (now 193) During the Second World War, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt During the Second World War, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt

initiated talks on a successor agency to the League of Nationsinitiated talks on a successor agency to the League of Nations April–June 1945April–June 1945: United Nations Charter : United Nations Charter January 1946January 1946: The first meetings of the General Assembly (London) : The first meetings of the General Assembly (London) The General Assembly selected New York City as the site for the The General Assembly selected New York City as the site for the

headquarters of the United Nations, and the facility was completed in headquarters of the United Nations, and the facility was completed in 19521952

UN’s primary mandate was peacekeeping; The organization participated UN’s primary mandate was peacekeeping; The organization participated in actions in Korea and the Congo, as well as approving the creation of in actions in Korea and the Congo, as well as approving the creation of the state of Israel (1947)the state of Israel (1947)

The division between the US and USSR often paralyzed the organizationThe division between the US and USSR often paralyzed the organization 19561956: The first UN peacekeeping force was established to end the Suez : The first UN peacekeeping force was established to end the Suez

CrisisCrisis

The UN’s OrganizationThe UN’s Organization The UN’s principal organsThe UN’s principal organs: : The General Assembly (the main deliberative assembly); the The General Assembly (the main deliberative assembly); the

Security Council (for deciding certain resolutions for peace and Security Council (for deciding certain resolutions for peace and security); the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) (for security); the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) (for promoting international economic and social co-operation and promoting international economic and social co-operation and development); the Secretariat (for providing studies, information, development); the Secretariat (for providing studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN); the International Court of Justice and facilities needed by the UN); the International Court of Justice (the primary judicial organ); and the United Nations Trusteeship (the primary judicial organ); and the United Nations Trusteeship Council (inactive since 1994)Council (inactive since 1994)

UN System agencies include the World Bank Group, the World UN System agencies include the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme, UNESCO, and Health Organization, the World Food Programme, UNESCO, and UNICEFUNICEF

The most prominent officer is the Secretary-GeneralThe most prominent officer is the Secretary-General The organization’s membership grew significantly following The organization’s membership grew significantly following

widespread decolonization in the 1960s, and by the 1970swidespread decolonization in the 1960s, and by the 1970s

General AssemblyGeneral Assembly The General Assembly is the main deliberative assembly of the United The General Assembly is the main deliberative assembly of the United

Nations; composed of all member statesNations; composed of all member states The assembly meets in regular yearly sessions, but emergency sessions The assembly meets in regular yearly sessions, but emergency sessions

can also be calledcan also be called The assembly is led by a president, elected from among the member The assembly is led by a president, elected from among the member

states on a rotating regional basis, and 21 vice-presidentsstates on a rotating regional basis, and 21 vice-presidents A two-thirds majority of those present is required on important questionsA two-thirds majority of those present is required on important questions Examples of important questions include recommendations on peace and Examples of important questions include recommendations on peace and

security; election of members to organs; admission, suspension, and security; election of members to organs; admission, suspension, and expulsion of members; and budgetary mattersexpulsion of members; and budgetary matters

Apart from approval of budgetary matters, resolutions are not binding on Apart from approval of budgetary matters, resolutions are not binding on the membersthe members

The Assembly may make recommendations on any matters within the The Assembly may make recommendations on any matters within the scope of the UN, except matters of peace and security that are under scope of the UN, except matters of peace and security that are under consideration by the Security Councilconsideration by the Security Council

Security CouncilSecurity Council The Security Council is charged with maintaining peace and security The Security Council is charged with maintaining peace and security

among countriesamong countries The Security Council has the power to make binding decisions that The Security Council has the power to make binding decisions that

member states have agreed to carry out, under the terms of Charter member states have agreed to carry out, under the terms of Charter Article 25Article 25

These are known as United Nations Security Council resolutionsThese are known as United Nations Security Council resolutions The Security Council is made up of fifteen member states, consisting of The Security Council is made up of fifteen member states, consisting of

five permanent members and ten non-permanent members five permanent members and ten non-permanent members The five permanent members hold The five permanent members hold veto powerveto power over UN resolutions, over UN resolutions,

allowing a permanent member to block adoption of a resolution, though allowing a permanent member to block adoption of a resolution, though not debatenot debate

The ten temporary seats are held for The ten temporary seats are held for two-year termstwo-year terms, with member states , with member states voted in by the General Assembly on a regional basis voted in by the General Assembly on a regional basis

The presidency of the Security Council rotates alphabetically each monthThe presidency of the Security Council rotates alphabetically each month

SecretariatSecretariat The UN Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General, assisted The UN Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General, assisted

by a staff of international civil servants worldwideby a staff of international civil servants worldwide It provides studies, information, and facilities needed by United It provides studies, information, and facilities needed by United

Nations bodies for their meetingsNations bodies for their meetings The UN Secretariat also carries out tasks as directed by the The UN Secretariat also carries out tasks as directed by the

Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, and other UN bodiesCouncil, and other UN bodies

The Secretary-General acts as the de facto spokesperson and The Secretary-General acts as the de facto spokesperson and leader of the UNleader of the UN

International Court of JusticeInternational Court of Justice The International Court of Justice (ICJ), located in The Hague, is The International Court of Justice (ICJ), located in The Hague, is

the primary judicial organ of the UNthe primary judicial organ of the UN Established in 1945 by the UN Charter, the Court began work in Established in 1945 by the UN Charter, the Court began work in

1946 as the successor to the Permanent Court of International 1946 as the successor to the Permanent Court of International JusticeJustice

The ICJ is composed of 15 judges who serve 9-year terms and The ICJ is composed of 15 judges who serve 9-year terms and are appointed by the General Assembly; every sitting judge must are appointed by the General Assembly; every sitting judge must be from a different nationbe from a different nation

The ICJ's primary purpose is to adjudicate disputes among states, The ICJ's primary purpose is to adjudicate disputes among states, but it has heard cases related to war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and but it has heard cases related to war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and other issuesother issues

The ICJ can also be called upon by other UN organs to provide The ICJ can also be called upon by other UN organs to provide advisory opinionsadvisory opinions

People’s Republic of ChinaPeople’s Republic of China The end of the Chinese Civil War:The end of the Chinese Civil War: Major combat ended in 1949 with the Communist Party in control of most Major combat ended in 1949 with the Communist Party in control of most

of mainland China, and the Guomindang retreating offshore, (Taiwan, of mainland China, and the Guomindang retreating offshore, (Taiwan, Hainan, and their surrounding islands) Hainan, and their surrounding islands)

1 October 19491 October 1949: Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the : Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the People’s Republic of ChinaPeople’s Republic of China

19501950: The People’s Liberation Army succeeded in capturing Hainan from : The People’s Liberation Army succeeded in capturing Hainan from the ROC and incorporating Tibet the ROC and incorporating Tibet

Mao’s Great Leap Forward, a large-scale economic and social reform Mao’s Great Leap Forward, a large-scale economic and social reform project, resulted in an estimated 45 million deaths between 1958 and project, resulted in an estimated 45 million deaths between 1958 and 1961, mostly from starvation1961, mostly from starvation

19661966: The Cultural Revolution, sparking a period of political recrimination : The Cultural Revolution, sparking a period of political recrimination and social upheaval which officially lasted until Mao’s death (1976)and social upheaval which officially lasted until Mao’s death (1976)

October 1971October 1971: The PRC replaced the Republic of China in the United : The PRC replaced the Republic of China in the United Nations, and took its seat as a permanent member of the Security CouncilNations, and took its seat as a permanent member of the Security Council

Cold WarCold War Political and military tension between the Western Bloc (US, its Political and military tension between the Western Bloc (US, its

NATO allies and others) and the Eastern Bloc (Soviet Union and NATO allies and others) and the Eastern Bloc (Soviet Union and its allies in the Warsaw Pact)its allies in the Warsaw Pact)

There was no large-scale fighting between the two sides, although There was no large-scale fighting between the two sides, although there were major regional wars, in Korea, Vietnam, and there were major regional wars, in Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan supported by the two sidesAfghanistan supported by the two sides

The beginning of the Cold WarThe beginning of the Cold War:: Marshall Plan (April 1947)Marshall Plan (April 1947) Cominform and the Tito–Stalin split (1948)Cominform and the Tito–Stalin split (1948) Containment and the Truman DoctrineContainment and the Truman Doctrine Berlin Blockade and airlift (1948-1949)Berlin Blockade and airlift (1948-1949) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (1949)North Atlantic Treaty Organization (1949) Korean War (1950-1953)Korean War (1950-1953)

Korean WarKorean War A Security Council resolution authorizing a US-led coalition to A Security Council resolution authorizing a US-led coalition to

repel the North Korean invasion of South Korea, passed in the repel the North Korean invasion of South Korea, passed in the absence of the USSRabsence of the USSR

TaiwanTaiwan Japanese rearmamentJapanese rearmament

Cold WarCold War Warsaw PactWarsaw Pact and Hungarian Revolution and Hungarian Revolution Competition in the Third WorldCompetition in the Third World Space raceSpace race Berlin Crisis of 1961Berlin Crisis of 1961 Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile Crisis Confrontation through détente (1962–79)Confrontation through détente (1962–79):: French NATO withdrawalFrench NATO withdrawal Czechoslovakia (Prague Spring)Czechoslovakia (Prague Spring) Brezhnev DoctrineBrezhnev Doctrine Third World escalationsThird World escalations Sino-American rapprochementSino-American rapprochement Second Cold War (1979–85)Second Cold War (1979–85):: Soviet war in AfghanistanSoviet war in Afghanistan Polish Solidarity movement and martial lawPolish Solidarity movement and martial law Soviet and US military and economic issuesSoviet and US military and economic issues

DecolonizationDecolonization DefinitionDefinition: : the withdrawal from its colonies of a colonial power; the the withdrawal from its colonies of a colonial power; the

acquisition of political or economic independence by such coloniesacquisition of political or economic independence by such colonies The process may involve either nonviolent revolution or national The process may involve either nonviolent revolution or national

liberation wars by pro-independence groupsliberation wars by pro-independence groups The The United Nations Special Committee on DecolonizationUnited Nations Special Committee on Decolonization was was

created in 1961 by the General Assembly with the purpose of created in 1961 by the General Assembly with the purpose of monitoring implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of monitoring implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and to make Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples and to make recommendations on its applicationrecommendations on its application

It has stated that in the process of decolonization there is no It has stated that in the process of decolonization there is no alternative to the colonizer allowing a process of self-determinationalternative to the colonizer allowing a process of self-determination

Methods and StagesMethods and Stages Decolonization is a political process, frequently involving violence Decolonization is a political process, frequently involving violence

(war of independence, revolution, civil war) (war of independence, revolution, civil war) More often, there was a dynamic cycle: negotiations, minor More often, there was a dynamic cycle: negotiations, minor

disturbances escalating into more violent revolts, further disturbances escalating into more violent revolts, further negotiations until independence was grantednegotiations until independence was granted

In rare cases, the actions of the pro-independence movements In rare cases, the actions of the pro-independence movements were characterized by nonviolence (Indian independence – were characterized by nonviolence (Indian independence – followed by an “Indian civil war”), and the violence came as active followed by an “Indian civil war”), and the violence came as active suppression from the occupying forces or from forces suppression from the occupying forces or from forces representing minority local communities who felt threatened by the representing minority local communities who felt threatened by the prospect of independence (settlers, minority groups)prospect of independence (settlers, minority groups)

Decolonization generally progressed through one or more stages: Decolonization generally progressed through one or more stages: including the introduction of elected representatives, degrees of including the introduction of elected representatives, degrees of autonomy or self-ruleautonomy or self-rule

The Third WorldThe Third World The emergence of this new political entity, in the frame of the Cold The emergence of this new political entity, in the frame of the Cold

War, was complex and painfulWar, was complex and painful Several attempts were made to organize newly independent Several attempts were made to organize newly independent

states in order to oppose a common front towards both the states in order to oppose a common front towards both the American and the Soviet influence American and the Soviet influence

The The Non-Aligned MovementNon-Aligned Movement constituted itself, around the main constituted itself, around the main figures of Jawaharlal Nehru (India), Sukarno (Indonesia), Tito figures of Jawaharlal Nehru (India), Sukarno (Indonesia), Tito (Yugoslavia), and Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt) (Yugoslavia), and Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt)

19551955: After the Geneva Conference (1954) which put an end to : After the Geneva Conference (1954) which put an end to the First Indochina War, the the First Indochina War, the Bandung ConferenceBandung Conference gathered gathered Nasser, Nehru, Tito, Sukarno, and Zhou Enlai (Premier of the Nasser, Nehru, Tito, Sukarno, and Zhou Enlai (Premier of the People’s Republic of China) People’s Republic of China)

19601960: The UN General Assembly voted the Declaration on the : The UN General Assembly voted the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and PeoplesGranting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples

The Non-Aligned MovementThe Non-Aligned Movement 19611961: The Non-Aligned Movement was officially created in : The Non-Aligned Movement was officially created in

Belgrade, and was followed in 1964 by the creation of the United Belgrade, and was followed in 1964 by the creation of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) which Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) which tried to promote a New International Economic Order (NIEO) tried to promote a New International Economic Order (NIEO)

The UNCTAD wasn’t very effective in implementing this New The UNCTAD wasn’t very effective in implementing this New International Economic Order, and social and economic International Economic Order, and social and economic inequalities between industrialized countries and the Third World inequalities between industrialized countries and the Third World kept on growing throughout the 1960s until the 21st centurykept on growing throughout the 1960s until the 21st century