Notes For All Chapters – Political Science Class 9
What Will We Learn?
- The United Nations (UN) is a big group of countries working together to keep peace and safety in the world.
- In this chapter, we’ll learn about its goals, rules, parts, and how it helps stop fights and bring peace.
Background of the United Nations
Why was the UN made?
- Two huge wars happened in the 1900s: World War I and World War II.
- These wars destroyed many lives and homes, so people wanted to stop such wars.
- After World War I, the League of Nations was made, but it didn’t work.
- After World War II, when nuclear bombs were used, everyone agreed wars must end.
- The UN was started to make all countries work together for peace.
How did it start?
- 1941: England’s leader Winston Churchill and America’s President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Atlantic Treaty on August 14 to plan a peace group.
- 1944-1945: Countries fighting together in the war met and made a plan for the UN.
- 1945: On October 24, 50 countries signed the UN Charter in San Francisco, USA, and the UN was born.
- It started with 50 countries, but now it has 193 members.
Fun Facts:
- United Nations Day is celebrated on October 24.
- India took part in meetings during World War II before the UN was formed.
Objectives (Goals) of the United Nations
- Keep peace and safety all over the world.
- Help countries become friends with each other.
- Solve fights between nations without war.
- Protect people’s rights and freedoms.
- Help countries work together on money and trade.
Principles (Rules) of the United Nations
- All countries in the UN are equal, whether they are big, small, rich, or poor.
- Every country must respect other countries’ freedom and land.
- Countries should fix their problems peacefully, not by fighting.
Questions to Think About:
- Can the UN use soldiers if peace is in danger? Yes, the Security Council can decide to do this.
- How does the UN help human rights? It makes rules and programs to protect people’s rights.
Structure of the United Nations
The UN has six main parts (called organs):
- General Assembly
- Security Council
- Economic and Social Council
- International Court of Justice
- Trusteeship Council
- Secretariat
It also has special helpers (agencies) like UNICEF, WHO, and UNESCO for specific jobs.
1. General Assembly
What is it?
- All 193 countries are members, and everyone is equal.
- Meets every year from September to December in New York (UN headquarters).
What does it do?
- Talks about big problems like the environment and weapons.
- Picks 10 non-permanent members for the Security Council.
- Chooses the UN Secretary-General and judges for the court with the Security Council.
- Decides the UN’s budget.
How does it work?
- Votes on ideas (called resolutions); the side with more votes wins.
2. Security Council
What is it?
- Has 15 members: 5 permanent (America, Russia, England, France, China) and 10 non-permanent (picked every 2 years).
- The 5 permanent members have veto power (can say “no” to stop a decision).
What does it do?
- Keeps the world peaceful and safe.
- Can suggest talks, punishments (like stopping trade), or even war to stop fights.
- Makes rules to control weapons.
- Helps pick judges and the Secretary-General with the General Assembly.
Note: India wants to be a permanent member to make it fairer.
3. Economic and Social Council
What is it?
- Has 54 members, chosen by the General Assembly for 3 years.
What does it do?
- Talks about problems like poverty, jobs, and women’s rights.
- Helps countries share education and culture.
- Guides special agencies like UNICEF and WHO.
4. International Court of Justice
What is it?
- The UN’s court, in The Hague, Netherlands, with 15 judges (9-year terms).
What does it do?
- Fixes fights between countries.
- Explains international laws.
- Gives legal advice to UN parts.
5. Trusteeship Council
What is it?
- Helped poor areas (called trust territories) become free after World War II.
What happened?
- Its job ended in 1994 when Palau (an island) became independent.
- It doesn’t work now because no areas need help anymore.
6. Secretariat
What is it?
- The UN’s office, run by the Secretary-General (5-year term).
What does it do?
- Sets up meetings for the General Assembly and Security Council.
- Holds big talks on issues like climate change.
- Shares news with the world.
Fun Facts:
- Current Secretary-General (2025): António Guterres from Portugal.
- He doesn’t have to be from a big country; anyone can be picked.
Special Agencies
- UNICEF: Helps kids with food, health, and school (e.g., fights malnutrition in India).
- UNESCO: Builds peace through education, science, and culture.
- WHO: Works on health, fighting diseases like AIDS.
- Others: World Bank (money), IMF (trade), ILO (jobs), FAO (food).
Millennium Development Goals (2000)
Goals to improve the world:
- Stop poverty and hunger.
- Give all kids primary school.
- Help women and save babies’ lives.
- Care for pregnant women.
- Fight diseases like AIDS and malaria.
- Protect nature and help poor countries.
India works with UNICEF and UNESCO to reach these goals.
UN and Peace
Goal: Stop fights between countries peacefully.
How?
- Sends people to talk, uses courts, or picks helpers.
- If needed, uses soldiers to stop fighting.
Peacekeeping Forces:
- Soldiers from countries like India help in war-torn places.
- They keep people safe, start schools, and hold elections.
Examples: Helped in Yugoslavia, Cambodia, Somalia, etc.
India and the UN
- India joined talks before the UN began.
- In 1946, India was the first to talk about racism at the UN.
- India sends soldiers (even all-women teams) for peacekeeping.
- Helps poor countries and works for peace.
Leave a Reply