“The Cold War had a significant impact on the effectiveness of the United Nations between 1945 and 1989.” Discuss.

Candidates must review, in a considered and balanced way, how the UN was affected by the Cold War. The aims of the UN and the impact of the Cold War on the UN may be examined with reference to specific conflicts and issues, with a focus on how far the UN was able to act effectively to fulfil its aims during this period.

Indicative content

• Aims of the UN could include a commitment to peace and security, support for human rights and improved living standards.
• The veto powers of each of the permanent five members of the Security Council made it difficult to reach agreement. For example, when North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, the UN to was able to condemn the aggression only because of the absence of the USSR from the crucial vote. Once the USSR returned to the Security Council the UN was paralysed. This impasse
  was alleviated by the adoption of the Uniting for Peace resolution.
• It may be argued that the UN was more under the influence of the US in the immediate post-war period but that decolonization during the 1950s shifted the balance more towards the USSR.
• The UN failed to prevent conflict in Vietnam and Afghanistan as well as genocide in Cambodia and Guatemala.
• It may be argued that superpower tension made UN intervention in the Congo more prolonged and less effective than it might have been.
• In 1956, for example, the Suez Crisis was referred to the UN General Assembly and, despite being Cold War allies, the US criticised both France and Britain.
• The UN installed a peacekeeping force in Sinai after both the 1967 and 1973 wars. Similarly, the UN had peacekeeping forces in Lebanon (UNIFL) from 1978 onwards.
• There may also be discussion of the more successful aspects of the work of the UN, setting international standards of human rights, and improving health care in the developing world, for example. Although relevant, these would need to be linked to the Cold War and its impact, possibly by mentioning that both the US and the Soviet Union looked for opportunities to influence and gain the support of developing nations.
• It may also be argued that the UN was more effective as Cold War tensions eased after 1985, and there was success in establishing the independence of Namibia and bringing about a constitutional settlement in Cambodia. Candidates may see this as a reflection of both the US and the Soviet Union working for reconciliation through the UN.

The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.

Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.

[20 marks]