History

Exam questions: The changing role of international organisations: the

League and the UN, 1919–2000

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 Source: From a modern world history, published in 2005.

 The UN Security Council began with 11 members. Five of these were permanent members
– Britain, China, France, USA and USSR. The other six members were elected by the
General Assembly for two years. In 1965, the number of non-permanent members was
increased to ten. Decisions needed at least nine of the 15 members to vote in favour.
These had to include all five of the permanent members. This meant that any one of the
permanent members could veto a decision.

 What does this Source tell us about the UN Security Council? (3)

 Explain the key features of the peacekeeping role of either the League of Nations in the
Manchurian Crisis (1931–33) or the UN in the Suez Crisis (1956). (7)

 How far did the work of the agencies of the League and the UN change in the years 1920-
2000?
You may use the following information to help you with your answer and any other
information of your own. (15)

• Health Agencies
• The International Labour Organisation (ILO)

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 Source: From a history of international relations, published in 2011.

China immediately asked the League of Nations for help against Japanese aggression in
Manchuria. The League condemned Japan’s actions and ordered the withdrawal of
Japanese troops. This was ignored and the League did not impose economic sanctions on
the Japanese. Instead, the League set up a commission led by Lord Lytton. The
Commission took a year to investigate and issued its report in September 1932, by which
time the invasion and occupation of Manchuria had been completed by Japan.
  What does this Source tell us about the actions of the League of Nations during the
Manchurian Crisis? (3)

 Explain the key features of the work of either the League’s Mandates Commission or the
UN’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). (7)

 How far did the organisation of the League and the UN change in the years 1919–2000?

You may use the following information to help you with your answer and any other
information of your own. (15)

• The General Assemblies

• Membership of the League and the UN

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 Source: From a world history, published in 2005.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has
encouraged world literacy as well as international co-operation between scientists,
scholars and artists. UNESCO has helped to finance research into the problem of world
water resources. After the 1968 floods in Florence, UNESCO played an important part in
repairing and restoring damaged art treasures and historic buildings.

 What does this Source tell us about the work of UNESCO? (3)

 Explain the key features of either the General Assembly of the League of Nations or the
role of the UN Secretary-General. (7)

 How far did international crises change the peacekeeping role of international
organisations in the years 1920–70?

You may use the following information to help you with your answer and any other
information of your own. (15)
• The League of Nations and the Corfu Incident, 1923
• The United Nations and the Korean War, 1950–53