“We, the Leaders, Must Deliver For We, the People-”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a powerful speech to world leaders in the main hall of the General Assembly. He gave a stirring defense of the need for international cooperation to solve our shared challenges, and he reminded world leaders why they are in power in the first place:

“We are living in a world of disquiet. A great many people fear getting trampled, thwarted, and left behind. And yet people believe in the spirit and ideas that bring us to this hall. They believe in the United Nations. But do they believe in us? Do they believe as leaders, we will put people first? Because we, the leaders, must deliver for we, the people.”

Now, more than 75 years later, the United Nations is still working to maintain international peace and security, give humanitarian assistance to those in need, protect human rights, and uphold international law. But, do we know, how did all of this happen, and why was such an organization formed? Yes, our school history textbooks do touch upon the inception of the League of Nations post-World War I and the subsequent establishment of the United Nations after it failed. However, the reality of this transition is far more nuanced than the concise narrative often presented in these educational materials; it was not a sudden transformation occurring overnight, but rather a gradual evolution marked by significant historical events, diplomatic negotiations, and ideological shifts. Thus, in this blog, we will explore the reasons behind and the process of the evolution of peace committees, culminating in the establishment of the United Nations as we know it today.

“Perpetual Peace is Only Found in the Graveyard,”

Stated Immanuel Kant in his book Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch. The concept of a peaceful community of nations had been proposed as early as 1795, when Kant outlined his idea of a 'league of nations' to manage conflict and promote peace between states. Kant argued against a world government, believing it would be prone to tyranny. The preferable solution to anarchy in the international system was to create a league of independent republican states. Unfortunately, Kant passed away without seeing his vision realized, and he was acutely aware that governments of his time were unlikely to accept such radical ideas. These sentiments were poignantly expressed in his concluding words in this renowned book.

However, soon the chaos and destruction by battles such as Waterloo in 1815 and Austerlitz in 1805 highlighted the urgent need for a system to avert such wars in Europe. The Concert of Europe, was such an initiative, aimed to maintain the status quo among European states and prevent further conflicts, established after the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th century. This served as an example for rest of nations, and all of a sudden peace committees and treaties started to boom worldwide in order to moderate current disputes and prevent new wars from breaking out.

In 1865, a significant milestone in international cooperation was achieved as states came together to establish organizations aimed at addressing specific global challenges. Among these pioneering initiatives was the formation of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), originally known as the International Telegraph Union. This organization, founded in the same year, played a crucial role in facilitating communication across borders, laying the groundwork for the interconnected world we inhabit today.

Similarly, in 1874, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) was established, further solidifying the commitment of nations to collaborate on matters of mutual interest. As specialized agencies of the UN, both ITU and UPU continue to spearhead efforts to harness the power of telecommunications and postal services for the betterment of humanity. The year 1889 marked the birth of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in international affairs. Founded by peace activists William Randal Cremer and Frédéric Passy, the IPU remains a beacon of parliamentary democracy, advocating for dialogue, cooperation, and peace among the elected representatives of nations worldwide. In 1899, aiming to develop instruments for settling crises peacefully, preventing wars, and codifying rules of warfare. It adopted the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes and established the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which began work in 1902.

“Now we can no longer hold back. It will be a terrible war.”

On July 28, 1914, Franz Joseph I, the Military Commander of the Austria-Hungary Army, declared war on Serbia, just a month after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife, Sophie by the Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip which had ignited a cascade of events with profound global repercussions. Austria-Hungary, attributing blame to the Serbian government, sought to leverage the incident as grounds for addressing the issue of Serbian nationalism definitively. Before declaring war, Austria-Hungary sought support from German leader Kaiser Wilhelm II, who’d granted the Austrian Military a "blank check" assurance. In a swift turn of events, Russia, Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Serbia aligned against Austria-Hungary and Germany, signalling the onset of World War I.

The conflict unleashed devastating consequences, reshaping global geopolitics and leaving an indelible mark on history. Following this disastrous tragedy, the League of Nations developed as a light of hope for international collaboration and the preservation of peace, so that such an incident is never again repeated in the future. Established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles, the League of Nations aimed "to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security." The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), played a pivotal role in shaping the organizational framework of the League of Nations, symbolizing the spirit of collaboration and diplomacy that underpinned efforts to maintain global stability.

In the 1920s, the League of Nations made notable strides in its humanitarian efforts. It successfully repatriated half a million prisoners of war, provided aid to Turkish refugees, and took a firm stance against slave traders and drug sellers. Additionally, it supported measures to combat leprosy and malaria, showcasing its commitment to improving global health. The League also demonstrated its capacity to resolve international disputes peacefully. It effectively mediated a dispute between Sweden and Finland over the Åland Islands and prevented a war between Greece and Bulgaria.

However, in 1923, the League was powerless against Italy’s aggression over the Corfu incident, highlighting its limitations when confronting strong, uncooperative states. This incident marked the beginning of the League's incapacity to enforce its resolutions and signalled its gradual downfall, ultimately culminating in its failure to prevent World War II.

“League of Nations is Not Yet What its Most Enthusiastic Protagonists Intended It to be…”

The League of Nations, established to promote international cooperation and prevent conflict, faced significant challenges in enforcing its mandates and maintaining unity among member states. As militarism and territorial expansion by nations such as Germany, Italy, and Japan increased, the League's efforts to deter aggression proved ineffective. Diplomatic failures, including the policy of appeasement by some Western powers in response to Hitler's aggressive actions, further emboldened these aggressor nations and finally, on August 31, 1939, Hitler ordered an invasion against Poland. In response, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3. World War II had begun.

However, hope was not completely lost for humanity during World War II. A series of pivotal events and declarations in the early 1940s aimed to prevent future wars and led to the formation of a more influential, decisive, and powerful organization than the League of Nations. By June 1941, London was already home to nine exiled governments. The great British capital had already endured 22 months of war, and the bomb-marked city frequently echoed with air-raid sirens. Practically all of Europe had fallen to the Axis powers, and ships on the Atlantic, carrying vital supplies, sank with grim regularity. Despite these hardships, faith in ultimate victory among the Allied governments and peoples remained unshaken. More importantly, there was a growing vision for a peaceful post-war future.

On June 12, 1941, representatives from Great Britain, Canada, Norway, Poland, Yugoslavia, and General de Gaulle of France, met at the ancient St. James’s Palace. They signed a declaration which stated, in part:

“That the only true basis of enduring peace is the willing co-operation of free peoples in a world in which, relieved of the menace of aggression, all may enjoy economic and social security; and that it is their intention to work together, and with other free peoples, both in war and peace to this end.”

“For Us, the Atlantic Charter, Corner-Stones Our Fighting Faith.”

While the Declaration of St. James Palace was being signed in Europe, significant developments were unfolding in the United States as well. The Atlantic Charter, signed on August 14, 1941, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, laid down common principles for a better future, including the establishment of a wider and permanent system of general security. This laid the groundwork for subsequent international cooperation efforts. On January 1, 1942, the Declaration by United Nations was signed by twenty-six states at war against the Axis Powers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and the Soviet Union, embodying the principles outlined in the Atlantic Charter. This declaration marked the first official use of the term 'United Nations,' which was coined by President Roosevelt. Over time, additional states adhered to the Declaration, leading to the formation of a broader coalition committed to common purposes and principles.

During 1943, pivotal conferences in Moscow and Tehran laid the groundwork for post-war international cooperation. In October, the Moscow Conference saw the United States, the United Kingdom, the USSR, and China agree on the necessity of establishing a general international organization to maintain peace and security. Subsequent discussions in Tehran in November reinforced this commitment, with Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin reaffirming their determination to work together towards global peace and cooperation.

In 1945, discussions at Dumbarton Oaks and Yalta further advanced plans for the establishment of a global organization dedicated to preventing future conflicts. The Dumbarton Oaks Conference produced proposals for a general international organization, which served as the basis for discussions at the subsequent Yalta Conference. Here, it was agreed to summon a United Nations conference in San Francisco to prepare the charter for such an organization.

“A Man Will Die, But Not His Ideas,”

On April 12, 1945, Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away untimely. However, understanding Roosevelt's strong desire to form the United Nations, Edward Stettinius took the lead as the Chairman from United States, and the San Francisco Conference went forward as scheduled, resolutely advancing the monumental task of establishing this global peace committee. From April 25 to June 26, 1945, delegates from fifty nations convened in San Francisco, California, to deliberate on the Charter of the United Nations and the Statute of the new International Court of Justice. With meticulous preparations dating back to 1945, the conference invited only those states that had declared war on Germany and Japan and subscribed to the United Nations Declaration. The original signatories, including major powers like the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China, laid the groundwork for a collaborative effort that would shape the future of international relations.

The San Francisco Conference, tasked with establishing the United Nations, operated through a structured organizational framework. Over five thousand documents were considered, resulting in unanimous adoption of the Charter of the United Nations on June 25, 1945, at the San Francisco Opera House. This monumental achievement, requiring rigorous voting procedures and two months of intense deliberation, was a testament to the dedication and collaborative spirit of the delegates, totalling 850, along with their advisors and staff, making the San Francisco Conference one of the largest and most significant international gatherings in history. Despite challenges, such as Poland's delayed representation due to government reorganization, the conference ultimately succeeded in establishing the United Nations, after four years of planning and procedural meetings, on October 24, 1945, a month and half after the World War II had ended, marking a significant milestone in global efforts to promote peace and security.

“In the End, it comes Down to Values;

We want the world our children inherit to be defined by the values enshrined in the UN Charter: peace, justice, respect, human rights, tolerance and solidarity,”

Continued Guterres in his thirty-minute long speech.

“Fear is driving the decisions of many people around the world. We must understand their anxieties and meet their needs, without losing sight of our universal values. It is time to reconstruct relations between people and leaders — national and international; time for leaders to listen and show that they care, about their own people and about the global stability and solidarity on which we all depend. And it is time for the United Nations to do the same: to recognize its shortcomings and to reform the way it works. This Organization is the cornerstone of multilateralism, and has contributed to decades of relative peace. But, the challenges are now surpassing our ability to respond. The United Nations must be ready to change. Our most serious shortcoming — and here I refer to the entire international community – is our inability to prevent crises. The United Nations was born from war. Today, we must be here for peace.”

As we reflect on the journey of the United Nations, it's evident that its impact spans far and wide. From its inception in the aftermath of World War II to the present day, the UN has worked tirelessly to promote peace, security, and human rights worldwide. Its efforts have resulted in significant achievements, from fostering international cooperation to addressing global challenges such as poverty, hunger, and climate change. Looking ahead, the United Nations remains committed to building on its successes and tackling emerging issues. Through initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals and climate action, UN Member States are charting a path towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all. As the world evolves new challenges arise, the UN continues to adapt and innovate, striving to meet the needs of people everywhere.

The history of the United Nations is still being written.

- Akmal Hossain