ICSE students should refer to United Nations ICSE Class 10 History notes provided below. These revision notes have been prepared based on the latest ICSE Class 10 History Books for the current academic year. Revising notes prior to the exams is really important to get excellent marks in History Class 10 exams. Also, refer to ICSE Class 10 History solutions to understand all chapters properly.
ICSE Class 10 History and Civics United Nations
Students can refer to the quick revision notes prepared for Chapter United Nations in Class 10 ICSE. These notes will be really helpful for the students giving the History and Civics exam in ICSE Class 10. Our teachers have prepared these concept notes based on the latest ICSE syllabus and ICSE books issued for the current academic year.
United Nations ICSE Class 10 History
Flow chart
Know the Terms
1. UNO : A world body formed to maintain international peace and security.
2. London Declaration : In June 1941, proposal was made for the first time to set up a world organisation more powerful than the League of Nations.
3. Washington Declaration : The term UN was used for the first time.
4. Charter of the UN : Constitution of the United Nations.
5. Collective Security : An arrangement whereby all member states would come to the help of the attacked state in a situation of war.
6. The General Assembly : The major deliberative organ of the UN.
7. The Security Council : The executive body of the UN responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
8. The International Court of Justice : The principal judicial organ of UNO.
9. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): The principal organ to co-ordinate economic and social work of the UN. It is the welfare council of the UN.
10. The Trusteeship Council : The organ of UN to administer the non-self governing territories until they were ready to rule themselves.
11. The Secretariat : The major administrative organ of the UN.
12. Trust Territories : Some of the conquered territories detailed from the axis states were administered as a trust by members of the UN on behalf of the world body.
13. Veto Power : A right granted to a permanent member of the Security Council of the UN to reject a resolution. If only one member uses its Veto power against the resolution, it cannot be adopted.
14. Secretary General : The Chief Executive Officer of the UN and an international mediator and peacemaker.
15. ILO : International Labour Organisation for the promotion of social justice and labour rights.
16. UNESCO : United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation aims at promoting education, science and culture in member countries.
17. UNICEF : United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund is exclusively dedicated to the cause of children and women especially in the developing countries.
18. WHO : World Health Organisation works for the improvement of health and prevention of diseases.
19. Human Rights : Certain basic conditions of life and freedom which are made available to people everywhere, irrespective of caste, religion, gender, nationality, etc. List of human rights — (a) Right to life, liberty and security of a person, (b) Equality before law (c) Freedom of movement and residence, (d) Freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, (e) Freedom of thought, conscience and religion, (f) Rights to vote and participate in government, (g) Right to education, (h) Right to adequate standards of living and (i) Right to health
20. Disarmament : A system for limitation, reduction or abolition of armed forces, including arms, ammunition and equipment and other related items.
21. Apartheid : A policy of racial discrimination practised in South Africa.
22. International Bill of Rights : The United Nations Declaration of Human Right, the two covenants and the conventions all together are known as International Bill of Rights.
Know the Dates
➢ 24th October, 1945 : The United Nations officially came into existence.
➢ 1946 : UNICEF was formed; First Session of United Nation Social and Economic Council was held.
➢ 4th November, 1946 : UNESCO was formed.
➢ 7th April 1948 : The World Health Organization (WHO) was formed.
➢10th December 1948 : The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
➢1948 : Convention on Genocide.
➢1949 : Geneva Convention.
➢1952 : Convention on the Political Rights of Women.
➢1956 : Convention on Slavery.
➢1959 : Declaration of Rights of the Child was adopted by United Nations General Assembly.
➢1961 : Founding of Amnesty International.
➢1965 : Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
➢21st March 1966 : Declared as the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
➢1968 : Tehran Conference; this year was declared as the International Year of Human Rights.
➢1979 : Convention for the Elimination of All Kinds of Discrimination against Women.
➢1984 : Convention against Torture.
➢1989 : Convention on Rights of the Child.
➢1993 : Vienna Conference.
Know the Personalities
1. Franklin Roosevelt – Former U.S. President.
2. Winston Churchill – Former British Prime Minister.
3. Stalin – Former General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union’s Central Committee.
4. Harold Laski – An eminent political scientist.
5. Dr. Malan – Prime Minister of South America (1948-54).
6. Nelson Mandela – Former President of South America: the world’s longest serving political priso
Know the Dates
➢ 24th October, 1945 : The United Nations officially came into existence.
➢ 1946 : UNICEF was formed; First Session of United Nation Social and Economic Council was held.
➢ 4th November, 1946 : UNESCO was formed.
➢ 7th April 1948 : The World Health Organization (WHO) was formed.
➢10th December 1948 : The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
➢1948 : Convention on Genocide.
➢1949 : Geneva Convention.
➢1952 : Convention on the Political Rights of Women.
➢1956 : Convention on Slavery.
➢1959 : Declaration of Rights of the Child was adopted by United Nations General Assembly.
➢1961 : Founding of Amnesty International.
➢1965 : Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
➢21st March 1966 : Declared as the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
➢1968 : Tehran Conference; this year was declared as the International Year of Human Rights.
➢1979 : Convention for the Elimination of All Kinds of Discrimination against Women.
➢1984 : Convention against Torture.
➢1989 : Convention on Rights of the Child.
➢1993 : Vienna Conference.
Know the Personalities
1. Franklin Roosevelt – Former U.S. President.
2. Winston Churchill – Former British Prime Minister.
3. Stalin – Former General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union’s Central Committee.
4. Harold Laski – An eminent political scientist.
5. Dr. Malan – Prime Minister of South America (1948-54).
6. Nelson Mandela – Former President of South America: the world’s longest serving political priso
TOPIC-1
The United Nations
Quick Review
1. UNO : The United Nations Organisation is an association of nations formed after the Second World War with the objective of maintenance of international peace and security.
2. Origin of the UNO :
➢The origin of the UNO can be traced back to the League of Nations founded at the end of the First World War to prevent wars and to solve economic and social problems through international cooperation.
➢However, the League failed in its objectives.
➢Representatives of USSR, USA, Britain and China met at Dumbarton Oaks in 1944 to create a more effective international organisation to promote world peace.
➢They agreed upon certain proposals.
➢Based on these proposals, the United Nations Charter was drawn up.
➢It was presented in an International Conference in San Francisco held between April-June, 1945.
➢The final Charter was signed on 26th June, 1945 by delegates of fifty countries.
➢India, though not a sovereign state, was also associated with the conference and was one of the fifty original signatories.
➢The United Nations Organisation officially came into existence on 24th October, 1945 with its headquarters in New York.
3. Purpose of the United Nations : The purpose of the United Nations is mentioned in the Preamble to the UN Charter. These include :
➢Maintaining international peace and security.
➢Developing friendly relations among nations.
➢Achieving international cooperation in solving problems of social, economic cultural and humanitarian character.
➢Promoting respect for human rights and freedom.
➢Being centre for harmonising actions of nations in attaining these ends. The UN provides a common platform for deliberation of problems and their redressal.
4. Milestones in the formation of UN :
(i) London Declaration, June 1941 — Proposed for the first time the establishment of an international organisation in place of regional pacts.
(ii) The Atlantic Charter, August 1941 — Recognised the principle of sovereign equality of all states big or small.
(iii) The Washington Declaration, January 1942 :
– Pledged to continue fight against Axis Powers.
– The term United Nations was used for the first time.
– Subscribed to the principles of the Atlantic Charter.
(iv) Moscow Declaration, October 1940 — Recognised the urgency of establishing a world organisation based on the principle of sovereignty and equality.
(v) Dumbarton Oaks Conference, August-October 1944 — Formulated a plan for the establishment of a world organisation.
(vi) San Francisco Conference, June 1945 — United Nations Charter was drawn up.
5. Official Languages : There are six official languages of the UN.
(i) Arabic
(ii) Chinese
(iii) English
(iv) French
(v) Russian
(vi) Spanish
6. Flag : It was adopted on 20th October, 1947. It has the UN’s emblem in white on a light blue background.
7. Principles of the United Nations : The UN. sets the following principles for its members:
(i) Sovereign equality of all member nations.
(ii) Fulfillment of Charter of duties by all member nations.
(iii) Settlement of disputes between member nations by peaceful means.
(iv) To refrain from the use of arms or threats of war.
(v) To accept the decisions of UN in all respects.
(vi) Non-interference in internal matters of member countries.
(vii) Obliging non-member nations to abide by the principles of UN for maintaining international peace and security.
8. Major Organs of the United Nations :
(i) The General Assembly :
➢Composition – All members of UN are also the members of the General Assembly.
➢Headquarters – New York City.
➢Sessions – Regular sessions of the UN General Assembly are held from third Tuesday of September to the middle of December every year.
– Special sessions can be convened to meet emergency situations.
➢Functions — It takes decisions on important issues such as
– Admission of new members to the various organs of the UN
– To consider and approve the UN budget.
– To determine the amount of funds to be contributed by respective members.
– To make recommendations for peaceful settlement of international disputes.
– To promote international cooperation.
– To elect ten non-permanent members of the Security Council.
– To receive and evaluate reports from the Security Council and other organs of the UNO.
(ii) The Security Council
➢ Composition
– It has 15 members.
– Five members are permanent. They include Russia, USA, United Kingdom, China and France.
– Non-permanent members are elected by the Central Assembly for a period of two years.
– All the permanent members have Veto Power.
– If any of the five permanent members casts a Veto to show disagreement, then no decision can be taken.
➢ Headquarters
– New York City.
➢ Sessions
– Meeting of the Security Council is held once in a month.
– In case of an emergency, a meeting can be called as and when required.
– Its session investigates any dispute or condition which may lead to international tension.
– The Security Council recommends methods of settling disputes by negotiation, arbitration, mediation and other peaceful means.
➢ Functions
– Maintain international peace and security.
– Formulate plans for disarmament.
– Initiate military action against an aggression.
– Apply financial sanctions to stop aggression.
– Elect judges of the International Court of Justice.
(iii) International Court of Justice :
➢ Composition
– It consists of 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council.
– Judges are elected for a period of 9 years.
– They can also be re-elected after the expiry of their tenure.
– Each judge should be from a different nationality.
➢ Headquarters
– Hague, Netherlands.
➢ Functions
– To settle disputes between member states in accordance with the international law.
– To provide advice to the General Assembly and the Security Council on any legal question.
– To provide advisory opinion to any organ of the UN and to specialised agencies on any specific legal matter.
(iv) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):
➢ Session
– Once a year in July.
– Since 1998, it meets in April as well to meet Finance Ministers of World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
– It organises major international conferences.
– It prepares draft conventions on subjects for submission to the General Assembly.
➢ Functions
– It is the major organ to coordinate the economic and social activities of the UN and its specialised agencies.
– It gathers informations, advises for member nations and make recommendations on international economic and social issues.
– It aims to build a world of greater prosperity, stability and justice.
– Administers development projects.
– Spreads benefit of science and technology.
– Seeks to end discrimination against minorities.
– Promoter economic growth of development countries.
– Fosters world cooperation in crime prevention, violation of human rights, etc.
(v) Trusteeship Council:
➢ Functions
– It is called “Protection of Dependent People” who are yet not able to govern themselves.
– To ensure that non-self governing territories are able to administer themselves in the interest of peace and security.
– Most of the Trust Territories are :
(i) Former mandates of the League of Nations.
(ii) Territories taken from defeated countries after the Second World War.
TOPIC-2
Major Agencies of The United Nations
Quick Review
➢ Exploitation by colonial powers done in many parts of the world and the wrath of two world wars fought in the 20th century resulted in major destruction in the entire world. Later, most of the colonial countries became free, but their economies had become weak and poor due to the setbacks, 18 specialised UN agencies were set up. Fourteen UN programmes have also been started to make the developing countries progress economically and socially.
➢ Important agencies of the UN are given below:
(i) UNDP – United Nations Development Programme.
(ii) WHO – World Health Organisation.
(iii) UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
(iv) UNICEF – United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
(v) ILO – International Labour Organisation.
(i) UNDP
• This UN agency is formed for technical and investment co-operation and is a source of funds for technical assistance.
• It is financed by voluntary contribution from members of the UN.
• Its major function is to help developing countries to improve living standards by making optimum use of their resources. The UNDP basically works in the infrastructure sector-helps build telecommunication systems, roads, power plants, health and educational systems.
• It surveys the country’s resources and helps provide facilities and the capital required, even supporting high risk ventures to boost social and economic progress in developing countries.
(ii) WHO
• It was established on 7th April, 1948 with the aim of ‘Health for all by 2000 A.D.’. This day is observed as World Health Day.
• The major aim of the WHO is to help governments to raise the standard of public health and provide latest information on medical research.
• Its headquarters in Geneva.
• To achieve its aim, the WHO helps countries to strengthen health systems and it promotes research in all aspects of health. It makes efforts to provide immunisation to prevent diseases, organises conferences, seminars to disseminate information, lays down standards for various drugs.
• The WHO issues periodicals and health journals to inform about the latest developments in health care.
(iii) UNESCO
• The major aim of the UNESCO is to contribute for peace and security in the world by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science, culture and communication, i.e., to promote understanding among the people.
• The UNESCO headquarters is in Paris.
• In the sphere of education, it:
– tries to eliminate illiteracy by helping set up educational facilities.
– advices about production of textbooks, syllabus, teacher training–it has set up an International Institute of Education Planning.
– helps set up library systems, gives fellowships.
• In the sphere of Science and Technology:
– it promotes research in various science subjects.
– organises conferences to bring scientists on one platform.
– circulates information through journals.
– encourages the study of social sciences, specially in order to diagnose the various causes of world tensions.
• In the sphere of culture and communication
• UNESCO :
– helps its members to preserve their culture helps to protect old manuscripts, works of art and ancient monuments.
– encourages cultural exchanges and promotes original writers.
– disseminates information about human rights and sets up projects on mass communication.
UNESCO is helping India restore the Taj Mahal.
(iv) UNICEF
• It was set up in 1946 after the Second World War to help the children and their mothers.
• Though later, it was called United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, its acronym UNICEF remained.
• Its headquarters is at New York. It has an executive board and is financed by contribution from government and others.
• The UNICEF :
– cooperates with countries to protect children.
– extends support to programmes aimed at the welfare of children-strengthens anti-child exploitation schemes.
– supports child immunization programmes.
– provides immediate help to children and mothers during emergencies.
– delivers supplies for child health clinics, helps fund training for programmes for health workers.
– works, so as to let children develop to their full potential.
(v) ILO
• This agency was set in 1919 with the objective of providing social justice to the working people so as to ensure universal and lasting peace.
• Its headquarters is at Geneva.
• It sets up ‘standards’ which member countries should try and achieve. Its aim is to create more jobs and better industrial development and harmony, social justice.
• It consists of-
– The Labour Conference
– The Governing Body
– The International Labour Office
• The International Labour Organisation :
– supports members to prepare plans for social security in countries.
– sets standards about working conditions which should be provided for the workers.
– tries to safeguard the working woman and is trying to ban child labour.
– supports vocational training programmes so as to upgrade the strength and capabilities of the workers and supervisors.
– tries to make co-operatives popular.
– The International Institute of Labour Studies for research in labour, has been set up for conducting research on all aspects of the working class–Trade Unions, etc.
– It publishes periodicals to disseminate information.
TOPIC-3
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Quick Review
(i) Human Rights :
➢ Early twentieth century witnessed utter disregard for human rights. Authorities in India, other colonies, denial of human rights to the Jews– all these made people to value human rights.
➢ Universal Declaration of Human Rights was accepted on 10th December 1948. So, Human Rights Day is celebrated on the 10th December every year.
➢ The United Nations has urged all member countries to implement these human rights.
➢ Articles one and two of this declaration are very important. ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration without distinction of any kind on the basis of race, colour, sex, language and religion.
➢ These two articles clearly proclaim the equality of all men and leave no avenue for any discrimination of any type.
➢ There are 28 more articles which cover all spheres of human life-cultural, economic, civic, social and political.
➢ Articles 3-21 deal with political and civil rights such as right to liberty, right to life, freedom of movement, freedom from torture.
Articles 22-27 are associated with cultural and economic rights. These include right to education, right to social security, right to take part in community life.
➢ Articles 28-30 deal with importance of respecting freedoms and rights of others.
➢ The Human Rights Commission had spent around two years in preparations, before the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
➢ From time to time, the General Assembly has been placing resolutions to safeguard the rights of all sections of society.
➢ The UN is specially concerned about the rights of the children.
(ii) Importance of Human Rights
➢ These declarations have provided a great impact on the world. These form a common standard for all nations to follow. The violation of these human rights is of great concern as we have seen the outcome of the violation of the human rights of the Jews by the Nazis.
➢ A number of Constitutions have included a number of rights found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. India is one such country.
➢ There are a number of agencies which monitor human rights around the world:
• UN Human Rights Commission set up by the UN Economic and Social Council meets every year at Geneva. There is a centre for human rights situated here.
• The office of High Commission for Human Rights has been formed to increase international co-operation to protect human rights.
• There is a separate commission set up to look after the special needs of the women, set up in 1946 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
• Many countries such as India have set up Human Rights Commissions in their own countries.
• NGOs all over the world have taken up the responsibility of fighting or preserving human rights. Drishti is a leading human rights champion. It uses media and other means of protection of human rights. It has a strong base in West Bengal.
• All India Human Rights Association based in New Delhi works for the protection of human rights at the national level. The National Human Rights Commission of India was founded in 1993. It has the Prime Minister as its Chairperson.
• Amnesty International, founded by Peter Benenson, works specially to solve the problems faced by prisoners.
➢ Apartheid, government backed racial discrimination in South Africa, was one of the clearest violations of human rights.
➢ Breaking of diplomatic relations, arms embargo, condemnation through special declarations, social boycott, all these finally led to official racial equality.
