World leaders saw the importance of creating a global body whose resolutions would have enough power to influence states toward peaceful solutions to their problems. After decades of negotiation and the hard-won experiences gained through bloody conflict, the international community was able to convene an international body of real significance, the modern United Nations.

Before the United Nations -- Purposes and principles: the UN charter -- The United Nations: policy-making bodies and their functions -- The UN's judicial organ: the Court of International Justice -- The UN's administrative and executive body: the Secretariat -- Financing the United Nations.