hoped that the people of the world would look to the Name as an organization for all people, not just governments. The charter was signed by the fifty represented countries on of that year. Representatives from Poland were unable to attend the The United Nations Becomes a Reality conference. They wanted to sign the charter so a place was held for them and they signed later. The representatives took the charter back By Jane Runyon to their home countries. After much discussion, a vote was held in each country to ratify the charter. On October 24, 1945, the United Woodrow Wilson proposed Nations came into existence. Five countries were designated as that the nations of the world permanent members of the UN Security Council. Those countries unite during . He were the Republic of , the , , the Soviet felt that this would be the Union, and the . Officially, the new group was known as proper way to maintain peace the United Nations Organization. It didn't take long before people throughout the world. It was were referring to the United Nations or UN. his belief that if all the nations of the world were able to work There were big differences in the United Nations and the together, they would be able to unsuccessful . One was mentioned previously. control any countries who Government and non-government agencies alike joined forces in this might want to make war. The new group. Perhaps the biggest difference lies in the ability of the group that Wilson worked with was called the League of Nations. United Nations to keep a group of military personnel from each nation Then and his Nazi army were able to invade European ready for duty. They are designated as "peace keepers." These forces countries with ease in the late 1930s. It was obvious to most countries can be deployed anywhere in the world where it is thought they are the League of Nations was not working. needed. Some people feel that these troops are just a way that the United Nations can maintain control of small, weak nations. Others President Franklin D. Roosevelt first used the term United Nations. feel it is the best way to show nations that might want to take He wanted the world to refer to the Allies of World War II as "united advantage of small, weak nations that the weaker nations have nations" against the enemy. His term was used in the Declaration by support. United Nations, which was presented on , 1942. The Allied nations committed themselves to sticking together against the Axis The United Nations today stands at 193 nations strong. It is powers. They were referred to as the United Nations Fighting Force. headquartered in New York City. The United Nations has stood firm in its desire to unite the world for over sixty years. As with any Meetings were held in Moscow, Cairo, Tehran, and Washington, "family," there have been squabbles. But so far, they have been able D.C., over the next two years. Plans were made to organize the united to provide hope and support for citizens of the world. countries. In October of 1944, representatives from France, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the met in Washington to outline the goals of the organization. They worked on plans for security, peace proposals, and economic and social cooperation among the countries of the world. In April of 1945, representatives from fifty countries met in , California. It was their plan to draw up a charter listing all the goals and purposes the United Nations wished to accomplish. It was decided to invite representatives of organizations not run by governments to this conference. Members of the Lions Club International and International Red Cross were in attendance. It was 5. How many countries are permanent members of the United Name Nations Security Council? A. three B. two C. five The United Nations Becomes a Reality D. seven Questions 6. is celebrated on the day the United Nations began to officially exist. On what day is United 1. The League of Nations was formed in World War II. Nations Day celebrated? A. June 2 A. true B. October 24 B. false C. April 30 2. Who is credited with naming the United Nations? D. January 1 A. Adolf Hitler 7. How many countries signed the original United Nations B. George Bush charter? C. Franklin Roosevelt A. 49 D. Woodrow Wilson B. 40 3. Name two ways that the United Nations differs from the C. 51 League of Nations. D. 193

How would you stop war in the world?

4. What caused the League of Nations to disband?