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United Nations

  • The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization to promote international cooperation. A replacement for the ineffective League of Nations, the organization was established on 24 October 1945 after World War II in order to prevent another such conflict. 
  • At its founding, the UN had 51 member states; there are now 193. The headquarters of the UN is in Manhattan, New York City, and experiences extraterritoriality. Further main offices are situated in Geneva, Nairobi, and Vienna. 
  • The organization is financed by assessed and voluntary contributions from its member states. Its objectives include maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, fostering social and economic development, protecting the environment, and providing humanitarian aid in cases of famine, natural disaster, and armed conflict.

League of Nations

  • The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded on 10 January 1920 as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. 
  • Its primary goals, as stated in its Covenant, included preventing wars through collective security and disarmament and settling international disputes through negotiation and arbitration. 
  • Other issues in this and related treaties included labour conditions, just treatment of native inhabitants, human and drug trafficking, the arms trade, global health, prisoners of war, and protection of minorities in Europe. 
  • At its greatest extent from 28 September 1934 to 23 February 1935, it had 58 members.

Points to be remembered:



United Nations

League of Nations

Established

24 October 1945

10 January 1920

Universality

All great powers are joined in United Nations which count it as a universal organization.

Many great powers (i.e. USA) are not joined in League of Nations which arises questions about universality about the organization.

Members

193 Member states

58 Member states.

Structures

Mainly 6 Organs - General Assembly, Security Council, Secretariat, International Court of Justice, Economics and Social Council and Trusteeship Council 

Mainly 3 Organs - General Assembly, Council, Secretariat

Voting System

In General Assembly decision taken by two third majority of present and voting.

In General Assembly decision taken by unanimous voting.

Veto Power

Each members of Security Council has veto power.

No such procedure was in LN.

International Court

Owns International Court of Justice as a main organ.

Although there is an International Court named Permanent Court of International Justice but it was not organ of League of Nations.

Social Activity

UN provides many social activities.

No such activities provided by LN.

Banking Service

UN provides banking service to its members by World Bank Group.

No such banking provided by LN.

Recognition of New Country

A new independent country needs UN recognized.

No such procedures followed in LN.

Expulsion or Withdraw

No state can expulsion or withdraw membership from UN.

Any state can expulsion or withdraw membership from LN.

Demolished

UN continues its existence.

It was demolished after starting of WWII.

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FAQs on Difference Between UN and League of Nations - UPSC Mains: World History

1. What is the difference between the League of Nations and the United Nations?
Ans. The League of Nations was established after World War I in 1920, while the United Nations was established after World War II in 1945. The League of Nations aimed to prevent future wars through collective security and international cooperation, but it failed to prevent World War II. The United Nations, on the other hand, was designed to learn from the mistakes of the League of Nations and has been more successful in maintaining global peace and security.
2. How did the League of Nations and the United Nations differ in terms of membership?
Ans. The League of Nations had a limited membership and only allowed sovereign states to become members. In contrast, the United Nations has a much broader membership and allows both sovereign states and non-sovereign entities, such as territories and observer states, to become members. This expansion of membership has made the United Nations more representative of the international community.
3. What were the main weaknesses of the League of Nations that led to its failure?
Ans. The League of Nations had several weaknesses that contributed to its failure. Firstly, powerful nations like the United States did not join the League, limiting its influence. Secondly, decisions required unanimous agreement among member states, making it difficult to take decisive action. Lastly, the League had no standing military force, making it reliant on member states for enforcement of its decisions.
4. How did the League of Nations and the United Nations differ in terms of their structures and decision-making processes?
Ans. The League of Nations had a complex structure with various bodies, including the Assembly and the Council, which had different functions and powers. The decision-making process in the League often required unanimous agreement among member states, making it difficult to take swift action. In contrast, the United Nations has a more streamlined structure with the General Assembly and the Security Council as its main decision-making bodies. The Security Council has five permanent members with veto power, which allows for more efficient decision-making.
5. How did the League of Nations and the United Nations differ in terms of their goals and achievements?
Ans. The League of Nations aimed to prevent future wars through collective security, disarmament, and resolving international disputes through negotiation. However, it failed to prevent World War II and was dissolved in 1946. The United Nations, on the other hand, has a broader set of goals, including maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, fostering social and economic development, and providing humanitarian assistance. While the United Nations has faced challenges, it has been more successful in achieving some of its goals compared to the League of Nations.
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