The United Nations and the Cold War
(Depth Study 3: International History, 1945-1991)
(Cambridge International AS and A level History 9389)
UN + Emergence Cold War
Cold War defining impact on UN. potential for UN viable world force peace making difficult,
two superpowers (core of UN) working against one another.
UN was powerless to intervene over many conflicts between US + USSR. As CW developed
late 1940s fear UN marginalised/irrelevant in disputes. UN's only way not become irrelevant
was pursue peacekeeping during CW.
UN + Global Cold War, 1950s
As hostility increased viability UN further decreased. International relations determined
aligning of individual countries with superpowers.
April 1950, NSC-68 said USSR ‘slave society’ + claimed resist Comm spread with force.
McCarthyism led to US UN workers seen as USSR spies. Many saw UN as tool to fight
Communism + maintain interests.
USSR saw UN as tool by W. Capitalists, US refusal 1949 recognise PRC gov. USSR boycotted
UN when Korea War begun 1950 cause of PRC refusal.
Korea 1950-53
Security Council responsibility decide which crisis threats to peace or ‘acts aggression’ then
decide action. UN sent mili to Korea as N invaded S 1950.
USSR vetoed S. Ks joining UN + not recognise legitimacy N. Korea gov. 25 June 1950, Security
Council found out invasion + decided what UN do. US faith in UN strong as sent troops fight
under flag.
USSR not present as boycotted, S. Council only pro-W. powers. USSR not present use veto.
Made mockery of UN.
, After SC resolution 25 June 1950, 27 June resolution passed for UN members protect S. US
Air + 7th Fleet bombed K. 30 June, Article 51 justified US troops take back Korea.
Anglo-French resolution 7 July for unified fight K. MacArthur entered as General UN army.
At first under control US. Other people from NATO fought. Sit of UN changed as USSR joined
+ gained presidency SC.
US objective take N + reunify K with W Gov. UN didn't give US permission. US knew USSR
would Veto so did alternative.
US transferred UN power to General Assembly where had major support. 3 Nov 1950, GA
passed ‘Uniting Peace’ resolution. Said decisions over security that vetoed by SC transferred
to GA.
Main reason USSR joined UN as power Veto. US peace treaty made useful. When USSR
vetoed China withdraw K, US passed as GA made final choice.
Mili situation intensified as China PLA 1951. US no longer push for unification, MacArthur
sacked + armistice agreed July 1953.
UN K action successful in W. In USSR seen as US manipulation of UN. Khrushchev said never
trust security of country if run by foreigner.
View in Washington that UN not faithful maintaining peace.
Suez Canal Crisis, 1956
UN role more favourable than K. 1953, UN Secretary General was Swede, was more
‘independent’ as previous pro-W. Had new vision UN in CW. wanted UN peacekeeping
forces focus prevent conflict.
Nasser (P of Egypt) actions began crisis. Was offered US funds for Aswan Dam. Accepted
weapons from Czechoslovakia so US stopped funds. Nasser nationalized Suez Canal. Was
vital waterway for British + French shipping. British initiated plan with Israel retake canal
from Egypt.
Plan = Israel attack canal, Brit + French troops enter prevent conflict + ‘protect’. Oct 1956
Israel attacked (US didn't know plan).
(Depth Study 3: International History, 1945-1991)
(Cambridge International AS and A level History 9389)
UN + Emergence Cold War
Cold War defining impact on UN. potential for UN viable world force peace making difficult,
two superpowers (core of UN) working against one another.
UN was powerless to intervene over many conflicts between US + USSR. As CW developed
late 1940s fear UN marginalised/irrelevant in disputes. UN's only way not become irrelevant
was pursue peacekeeping during CW.
UN + Global Cold War, 1950s
As hostility increased viability UN further decreased. International relations determined
aligning of individual countries with superpowers.
April 1950, NSC-68 said USSR ‘slave society’ + claimed resist Comm spread with force.
McCarthyism led to US UN workers seen as USSR spies. Many saw UN as tool to fight
Communism + maintain interests.
USSR saw UN as tool by W. Capitalists, US refusal 1949 recognise PRC gov. USSR boycotted
UN when Korea War begun 1950 cause of PRC refusal.
Korea 1950-53
Security Council responsibility decide which crisis threats to peace or ‘acts aggression’ then
decide action. UN sent mili to Korea as N invaded S 1950.
USSR vetoed S. Ks joining UN + not recognise legitimacy N. Korea gov. 25 June 1950, Security
Council found out invasion + decided what UN do. US faith in UN strong as sent troops fight
under flag.
USSR not present as boycotted, S. Council only pro-W. powers. USSR not present use veto.
Made mockery of UN.
, After SC resolution 25 June 1950, 27 June resolution passed for UN members protect S. US
Air + 7th Fleet bombed K. 30 June, Article 51 justified US troops take back Korea.
Anglo-French resolution 7 July for unified fight K. MacArthur entered as General UN army.
At first under control US. Other people from NATO fought. Sit of UN changed as USSR joined
+ gained presidency SC.
US objective take N + reunify K with W Gov. UN didn't give US permission. US knew USSR
would Veto so did alternative.
US transferred UN power to General Assembly where had major support. 3 Nov 1950, GA
passed ‘Uniting Peace’ resolution. Said decisions over security that vetoed by SC transferred
to GA.
Main reason USSR joined UN as power Veto. US peace treaty made useful. When USSR
vetoed China withdraw K, US passed as GA made final choice.
Mili situation intensified as China PLA 1951. US no longer push for unification, MacArthur
sacked + armistice agreed July 1953.
UN K action successful in W. In USSR seen as US manipulation of UN. Khrushchev said never
trust security of country if run by foreigner.
View in Washington that UN not faithful maintaining peace.
Suez Canal Crisis, 1956
UN role more favourable than K. 1953, UN Secretary General was Swede, was more
‘independent’ as previous pro-W. Had new vision UN in CW. wanted UN peacekeeping
forces focus prevent conflict.
Nasser (P of Egypt) actions began crisis. Was offered US funds for Aswan Dam. Accepted
weapons from Czechoslovakia so US stopped funds. Nasser nationalized Suez Canal. Was
vital waterway for British + French shipping. British initiated plan with Israel retake canal
from Egypt.
Plan = Israel attack canal, Brit + French troops enter prevent conflict + ‘protect’. Oct 1956
Israel attacked (US didn't know plan).
