2.3.2
USA Dominance in the United Nations
American Dominance in the United Nations
American Dominance in the United Nations
The UN was established in October 1945 and by 1950 there were 60 members. Most of the UNs membership came from countries who were capitalist and pro-Western
US dominance of the United Nations
US dominance of the United Nations
- Most of the UN's membership came from countries who were capitalist and pro-Western.
- The UN's headquarters was placed in New York and much of the funding towards its growth was from the USA. The USA, therefore, was dominant in the UN.
- Other factors that contributed to this was the fact that the USA had a massive influence on world trade due to the Marshall Plan.
- Almost all of Europe (except Spain) had been accepting American financial support from the Marshall Plan.
America as the 'World's Policeman'
America as the 'World's Policeman'
- America became the world’s superpower in terms of military superiority so quickly became known as the ‘world’s policeman.’ The USA saw itself as the defender of the ‘free world’.
- As a result, many European colonial countries supported the USA as they were not yet free themselves.
- The USA also became a dominant power in the UN as China was prevented from joining the UN after the Civil War and instead the seat was given to the pro-American Taiwan.
Veto powers
Veto powers
- The UN had 5 permanent members all of which had the power to veto UN involvement.
- These countries were the USA, Britain, France, China and the USSR.
- This power of veto helped to keep the USA under control and limit their influence.
The Isolation of China
The Isolation of China
Relations between the West and China remained hostile until the 1970s.
Exclusion from the UN
Exclusion from the UN
- Although Communist China was excluded from the UN, it had established an alliance with the USSR in 1950. China gave the most financial support to North Korea.
- The USA was always concerned about the expansionist possibilities of communist China in Taiwan and Japan.
US support against China
US support against China
- The USA maintained a heavy presence in South Korea during and after the war with communist North Korea.
- The USA continued to support these countries in the 1950’s which caused China to remain hostile to the USA and the West until the 1970’s.
1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9
1.1Events of 1945
1.2The Collapse of the Grand Alliance
1.3Developing Tensions
1.4US Involvement in Europe
2Widening of the Cold War
2.1US Containment in Asia
2.2The Korean War
2.3Increasing Cold War Tensions, 1949 -1953
3The Global War
3.2Cold War Rivalries
3.3Conflict in Asia
3.4Confrontation Between Superpowers
4Confrontation & Cooperation
4.2Cooperation
4.3Pressures on the USSR
5Brezhnev Era
5.1Detente
5.2Second Cold War
5.3Developments in Africa & Americas
6Ending of the Cold War
6.1Gorbachev
6.2Cooperation between US & USSR
6.3Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
6.4End of Tensions Across the World
Jump to other topics
1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9
1.1Events of 1945
1.2The Collapse of the Grand Alliance
1.3Developing Tensions
1.4US Involvement in Europe
2Widening of the Cold War
2.1US Containment in Asia
2.2The Korean War
2.3Increasing Cold War Tensions, 1949 -1953
3The Global War
3.2Cold War Rivalries
3.3Conflict in Asia
3.4Confrontation Between Superpowers
4Confrontation & Cooperation
4.2Cooperation
4.3Pressures on the USSR
5Brezhnev Era
5.1Detente
5.2Second Cold War
5.3Developments in Africa & Americas
6Ending of the Cold War
6.1Gorbachev
6.2Cooperation between US & USSR
6.3Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
6.4End of Tensions Across the World
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