Lesson Activity

Question

The United Nations
This activity will help you meet this educational goal:
Understand the purpose of the United Nations.

Directions
Read the instructions for this self-checked activity. Type in your response to each question, and check your answers. At the end of the activity, write a brief evaluation of your work.

Activity
In this activity, you’ll identify the permanent members of the Security Council and analyze an excerpt from the UN Charter.

Question 1
Question
Select the correct locations on the map.

The map shows the members of the United Nations when it was founded in 1945. Five of those nations became permanent members of the UN Security Council. Identify these members on the map.

Correct!
Question 2
Read over the following description of the UN Security Council from the United Nations website. Then answer the questions that follow.

The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. . . . Under the Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions. The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.

Part A
Question
Select the correct answer.

Under the UN Charter, what is the primary responsibility of the Security Council?

helping to establish trade agreements between nations
promoting efficient food production and distribution across the world
ending poverty and illiteracy in developing countries
maintaining international peace and security
Correct!
Explanation:

While the United Nations has been involved in many human rights activities, the purpose of the Security Council is specifically to maintain peace and prevent war.
Part B
Question
Select all the correct answers.

According to the United Nations, what are two of the steps the Security Council may take to address an act of aggression, or war?
It can dissolve the national government.
It can impose sanctions.
It can colonize the aggressive nation.
It can authorize the use of force.
Correct!
Explanation:

According to the official UN description, the Security Council can use military force if doing so will maintain or restore peace. It can also impose sanctions on nations that threaten world peace. Sanctions are policies that attempt to force a nation to change its behavior. For example, a common sanction is to block international trade with an aggressive nation.
Question 3
Since its founding, the United Nations has been involved in 69 peacekeeping missions and has taken part in hundreds of peace negotiations. Some have been successful, but many have not.

There are many areas of the world where people remain at war despite UN efforts to help them settle their differences peacefully. Given what you have learned in this lesson, do you think there is a role for the United Nations as peacekeeper in today’s world? Why or why not?

Space used(includes formatting): 417 / 30000
Self-Evaluation
How did you do? Rate your work on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as the highest score. Then write a brief evaluation of your work below. Note what you learned and what challenged you.

Answer 1

Response to Question 3:

Yes, I believe there is still a significant role for the United Nations as a peacekeeper in today's world. The complexities of modern conflicts, including issues like terrorism, civil wars, and the rise of non-state actors, make the UN's role more crucial than ever. The UN can mediate disputes, provide humanitarian aid, and facilitate peace talks. While not all missions have been successful, the UN's presence can often deter further violence and encourage dialogue between conflicting parties. The organization's ability to mobilize international support and resources is essential in addressing grievances and promoting sustainable peace, especially in regions that are struggling with longstanding conflicts. Therefore, despite challenges, the UN's efforts as peacekeepers remain vital.

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Self-Evaluation:

I would rate my work a 5. I felt confident answering the questions about the UN Security Council and its roles. I learned that the Security Council holds significant power in maintaining international peace and security and learned the specific actions it can take, such as imposing sanctions and authorizing force. The most challenging aspect was articulating my thoughts on the effectiveness of the UN as a peacekeeper today, as it required me to consider both the historical context and current global dynamics. Overall, I feel that I have a better understanding of the United Nations’ purpose and the importance of its role in conflict resolution.