Best way to study United Nations history?

Question

I'm doing the AS History exam in November and I have to study the United Nations and how it influenced the Cold War. How is the best way to cover all the conflicts where UN has been involved?

If someone is studying the same or has already done the exam, I will thank you so much if you could give me some tips to cover all this subject. Thanks.

Answer 1

There is a great book that was written by a former UN insider; it's called An Insider's Guide to the UN.  It was written by Linda Fasulo.  It's fairly easy to read and has some great information on how the UN is organized, what the directorates are, and who the Security Council is, etc...

Answer 2

The UN during the cold war was 'interesting' as for the initial period, the Chinese people were represented by Taiwan.  The USSR boycotted UN meetings as it wanted the People Republic (which to be fair, has more Chinese people in it than Taiwan does) to represent Chine instead.  The down side of this was the Korean war.  As the USSR was not there to veto the decision for UN military action, the UN entered the Korean war.

As for a list of UN peacekeeping missions, click below.

Answer 3

I would focus on some of the best of the people who have served as the UN Secretary General over the years.  They seemed to have influence by virtue of their credibility & integrity. For example U Thant and Dag Hammersjold.  Read some biographical studies of their lives. Then for the opposite view, read about Kurt Waldheim.

Answer 4

Memorize and analyze the UN  history  and functions.

Answer 5

wow small subject area then!

use the link below to get started, main focus on security council and how the veto crippled the UN meaning they actually had very little influence in the Cold War, except in Korea 1950 when the Soviets were Boycotting the UN.