1. According to
President Truman, what was the purpose of the United Nations?
2. How many countries
had signed the UN Charter in 1946?
3. President Truman
used the phrases below in his Address. Write a sentence definition for:
a. crime against humanity
b. freedom from want
4. Truman stated
that member nations were "legally and morally" committed to
world peace;
therefore, they were not to intimidate or act aggressively towards any
country. Have U. N. members honored this commitment? If you answer no,
site specific examples.
5. President Truman
opposed preferential treatment on the basis of color, race, or religion.
What
evidence can you find in this speech to support this statement?
6. Besides causing
fear, according to the President, how else does war impact peoples'
lives?
7. President Truman
spoke of the need for all member nations to cooperate together, regardless
of their different political and economic systems, if there were to
be peace in the world. Assuming that he had one or more countries in
mind, which ones would they be?
8. To prevent military
aggression on the part of Germany and Japan in the future, what safeguards
would be put in place?
9. Describe the
mood or tone of this public Address.
10. Why was this
an important speech for President Truman to give? Was the timing significant?
11. List two things
you learned about life in the United States at the time this speech
was given.
12. Opinion: In
your opinion, what is the appropriate response by the United Nations
when a member commits an act of aggression against another country?
Further Research:
1. Who first used the term "united nations" and in what context?
2. What ineffective
post WWI organization did the United Nations replace?
3. Initially four
countries outlined the framework for the United Nations Charter. Who
were
they?
4. A wealthy businessman
made a 8.5 million dollar gift to the United Nations so land on the
East River could be purchased as a site for the Headquarters. Who was
he?
5. When is the
official United Nations Day celebrated each year?
6. Who is our UN
Ambassador today? How many women have held this position?
Bonus question: How many countries are members of the United Nations
today?
