So, what happened with the UN during the Cold War?
During much of the Cold War, the United Nations was in a state of stalemate, meaning a deadlock, because two of the main players, the United States and the Soviet Union, had veto powers over any ruling that the United Nations had voted on. If the United States wanted the approval of the Security Council, the Soviet Union had the power to veto it. Because of this, events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis could not be prevented by the United Nations. While they were able to meet about events and decisions like this, they could not meet a resolution due to the opposing sides having veto power.
However, the United Nations was able to go against Soviet interests after North Korea attacked South Korea. The Soviet Union was boycotting the United Nations at the time, due to the veto power of China being held by the non-communist portion, rather than the bigger communist portion. The Soviet Union could not exercise their veto when it was voted that the United States, along with 15 other UN member nations, would send troops in to help South Korea, beginning the Korean War (1950-53).
However, the United Nations was able to go against Soviet interests after North Korea attacked South Korea. The Soviet Union was boycotting the United Nations at the time, due to the veto power of China being held by the non-communist portion, rather than the bigger communist portion. The Soviet Union could not exercise their veto when it was voted that the United States, along with 15 other UN member nations, would send troops in to help South Korea, beginning the Korean War (1950-53).
