Difference Between United Nations and League of Nations

The League of Nations was created after the end of World War I whereas, The United Nations was formed after the end of World War II. 

Difference Between United Nations and League of Nations

SubjectUnited NationsLeague of Nations
Established24 October 194510 January 1920
Members193 Member states58 Member states.
OrgansMainly 6 Organs – General Assembly, Security Council, Secretariat, International Court of Justice, Economics and Social Council and Trusteeship CouncilMainly 3 Organs – General Assembly, Council, Secretariat
Voting SystemIn General Assembly decision taken by a two-thirds majority of present and voting.In General Assembly decision taken by unanimous voting.
Veto PowerFive permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) have veto power.No such procedure was in the League of Nations.
International CourtOwns International Court of Justice as the main organ.Although there is an International Court named the Permanent Court of International Justice but it was not an organ of the League of Nations.
Banking ServiceUN provides banking services to its members by World Bank Group.No such banking was provided by the League of Nations.
Social ActivityUN provides many social activities.No such activities are provided by the League of Nations.
Recognition of New CountryA newly independent country needs UN recognition.No such procedures were followed in the League of Nations.
DemolishedUN continues its existence.It was demolished after starting of World War II.

Formation of the League of Nations

The League of Nations was created after the end of the War. The fourteen-point program of President Wilson included the creation of a world organization to prevent any future wars.

Aims and objectives of the League:

  • All nations were prohibited from entering any secret treaties and alliances.
  • All nations had to respect each other’s independence.
  • Nations should solve disputes among each other by referring the disputes to the League.
  • Member nations had to take steps against the aggressive country which tried to disturb world peace.

The League was supposed to promote cultural, social, and economic cooperation among the member nations. The League however had some limitations too. Germany and the Soviet Union were not made members of the League. The USA also did not join the League.

The rise of dictatorship in Germany and Italy weakened the League, which ultimately came to an end with the beginning of the Second World War.

Formation of The United Nations

The United Nations was formed after the end of the Second World War. The world leaders felt the necessity to establish an organization that would be more powerful than the League of Nations.

  • Even during the war, leaders of Allied Governments like the President of USA, F. D. Roosevelt, and the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill realized the dangers posed by war.
  • They held many discussions, and as a result of these discussions and debates, the decision to form the UN was taken.
  • The Charter of the UN was drafted at San Francisco in June 1945. The UN formally came into existence on 24 October 1945 when the Charter was ratified by 29 nations.

Aims and Objectives of the UN

  • To maintain international peace and security.
  • To develop friendly relations among nations.
  • To achieve international cooperation in resolving international, economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems.
  • To work diligently for establishing peaceful relations among countries and for achieving the aims of the UN.

Principles of the UN

  • To respect the sovereign equality of all its members.
  • All obligations should be fulfilled by member nations in good faith.
  • Member nations should neither threaten nor use force against any other nation.
  • Member nations should support and assist the UN in every action which is taken by it.
  • The UN should not interfere in internal affairs of any country.

Also, Read Major Agencies of the United Nations

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