Rights and Freedoms Flashcards
(39 cards)
What was the impact of WW2
Millions were killed and many were separated from their families. The war caused widespread destruction and suffering
Purpose of the United Nations (UN)
After WWII, world leaders wanted global cooperation, better living standards, and a world free from fear and want. The UN was created to prevent future wars and promote peace.
Describe how and when the UN was formed
The United Nations was officially formed at a meeting in San Francisco with 50 nations in 1945. All nation’s presents signed the Charter of the United Nations, which outlined the UN’s purpose and rules of operation
What was Australia’s role in the formation of the UN
An australian representative spoke for smaller nations worried about power struggles between the USA and the USSR
4 Main purposes of the UN/ UN Charter
-Maintain worldwide peace and security
-Develop relationships among nations
-Encourage cooperation between nations in order to solve economic, cultural, social or humanitarian international problems
-Provide a place to bring countries together
What is the general assembly
The main decision-making body, consisting of 193 recognised countries
What is the security council
Responsible for maintaining peace. It includes 5 permanent members (USA, China, Russia, France, Britain) who have veto power (only within the security council), plus 10 non-permanent members.
What is the economic and social council
Deals with economic issues, improving life while protecting resources for the future and support programs for those in need
What is the secretariat
The Secretariat is the part of the UN that contains the office of the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly, traditionally every 5 years.
What is the international court of justice
Resolves international legal disputes, like territorial rights
What was Dr. Herbert Evatt’s Influence
Evatt was instrumental in ensuring that the General Assembly would play a leading role in protecting Human Rights. He contributed to drafting the Universal Declaration of Human rights (UDHR)
What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
The UDHR is a key document with 30 articles outlining fundamental human rights. It states that human rights are inalienable, meaning they cannot be taken away from any person.
Why was UDHR need
-To prevent the atrocities of World War II from repeating
-Created to ensure that all people, regardless of nationality or background, would have their basic human rights protected
-The horrors of the war highlighted the need for an international agreement that would confirm and protect individual freedoms and dignity on a global scale
What might be some issues with the UDHR
-Lack of enforcement: The UDHR is not legally binding, meaning countries are not obligated to follow it, which makes it hard to ensure (that they do) compliance
-Cultural and political indifferences: Different countries may interpret human rights differently, leading to disagreements about what should be protected
-Power imbalances: Some powerful nations may disregard human rights in the pursuit of political or economic goals, without facing consequences
-Vagueness: Some of the articles in the UDHR are broad, which can lead to varying(different) interpretations and making it difficult to enforce the same standards worldwide
When did slavery begin in North America and why
Slavery began in 1619 when a Dutch ship brought 20 Africians to Jameston, Virginia. African slaves became the main labour source for white settlers due to their low cost and availability.
What happened by the 18th century
An estimated 6-7 million Africans were forcibly brought to the Americas
What happened after the American revolution (1775-1783)
Some leaders like Washington and Jefferson took small steps toward limiting slavery
Whats the role of the U.S constitution in slavery
The U.S Constitution protected slavery under the right to possess a “person for service or labour”
What did the northern states do late 1700s
Northern states began abolishing slavery by late 1700s, but the South depended on slave labour for crops like cotton and tobacco
Why did slave population triple by 1860
Congress banned slave imports in 1808, yet the slave population tripled, reaching 4 million by 1860 as slaves were forced to produce more slaves after the slave trade ended
What did Nat Turner’ do in 1831 and what did these actions lead to
In 1831, Nat Turner’s rebellion–the most effective U.S. slave revolt–killed about 60 whites before being crushed.
The rebellion led to harsher slave laws and increased repression in the South
What was the central cause of the civil war
The civil war was a conflict between the northern and southern states of America about the role of slavery within American society.
What is the emancipation proclamation (1863)
A document that declared freed slaves in rebel states (souther states)–around 3 million people
What were some post-slavery struggles
13th Amendment (1865) officially abolished slavery but black codes were enacted to restrict the rights of freed slaves. The end of slavery also caused the rise of white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). By 1877, most black political and economic gains were lost.
