United Nations
A postwar attempt at collective security
Established 24 October 1945
The United Nations came into existence in October 1945 to help maintain peace and cooperation between states. Its preparation began during the war, from a common declaration against the Axis through proposals for a Charter to signature and ratification.
From wartime cooperation to a Charter
In January 1942, 26 states pledged to fight the Axis together and avoid a separate peace. Plans for a postwar organisation developed through Allied talks. Representatives of 50 states completed the Charter at San Francisco between April and June 1945; the UN came into existence on 24 October after ratification.
Security and the great powers
The Charter provided for a General Assembly of all members and a Security Council. Its five permanent members were China, France, Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States. Veto rights gave them a special position: cooperation did not eliminate differences in power.
A predecessor and postwar responsibilities
The League of Nations had been an earlier attempt at collective security but failed to prevent world war. The new UN was intended to promote peace and economic, social and humanitarian cooperation. It adopted the Genocide Convention in 1948. Establishing an institution did not guarantee agreement between its members or prevent every future crime.