Trygve Lie facts for kids
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Trygve Lie
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Trygve Lie in 1938
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| Secretary-General of the United Nations | |
| In office 2 February 1946 – 10 November 1952 |
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| Preceded by | Gladwyn Jebb (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Dag Hammarskjöld |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 19 November 1940 – 2 February 1946 |
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| Prime Minister | Johan Nygaardsvold Einar Gerhardsen |
| Preceded by | Halvdan Koht |
| Succeeded by | Halvard Lange |
| Minister of Justice | |
| In office 20 March 1935 – 1 July 1939 |
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| Prime Minister | Johan Nygaardsvold |
| Preceded by | Arne T. Sunde |
| Succeeded by | Terje Wold |
| Minister of Industry | |
| In office 25 September 1963 – 20 January 1964 |
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| Prime Minister | Einar Gerhardsen |
| Preceded by | Kaare Meland |
| Succeeded by | Karl Trasti |
| In office 4 July 1963 – 28 August 1963 |
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| Preceded by | Kjell Holler |
| Succeeded by | Kaare Meland |
| Minister of Trade and Shipping | |
| In office 20 January 1964 – 12 October 1965 |
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| Prime Minister | Einar Gerhardsen |
| Preceded by | Erik Himle |
| Succeeded by | Kåre Willoch |
| Minister of Provisioning and Reconstruction | |
| In office 1 October 1939 – 21 February 1941 |
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| Prime Minister | Johan Nygaardsvold |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Arne T. Sunde |
| Minister of Trade | |
| In office 1 July 1939 – 2 October 1939 |
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| Prime Minister | Johan Nygaardsvold |
| Preceded by | Alfred Madsen |
| Succeeded by | Anders Frihagen |
| Member of the Norwegian Parliament | |
| In office 1 January 1937 – 31 December 1949 |
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| Constituency | Oslo |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Trygve Halvdan Lie
16 July 1896 Kristiania, Sweden–Norway (now Oslo, Norway) |
| Died | 30 December 1968 (aged 72) Geilo, Buskerud, Norway |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse |
Hjørdis Jørgensen
(m. 1921; died 1960) |
| Children | 3 |
| Signature |  |
Trygve Halvdan Lie (born July 16, 1896 – died December 30, 1968) was a Norwegian politician and a leader in the labor movement. He served as Norway's foreign minister during World War II, when the Norwegian government was in exile in London from 1940 to 1945. From 1946 to 1952, he made history as the first Secretary-General of the United Nations.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Trygve Lie was born in Kristiania (now Oslo) on July 16, 1896. His father left the family when Trygve was young, and he grew up with his mother and sister. His mother ran a boarding house and café to support the family.
Lie joined the Labour Party in 1911 when he was just 15 years old. After finishing his law degree in 1919, he quickly became the party's national secretary. He also worked as a legal advisor for the Workers' National Trade Union, where he became known for solving disagreements.
Political Journey
Lie started his political career in local government, serving on the Aker municipality council from 1922 to 1931. In 1937, he was elected to the Norwegian Parliament. He became the Minister of Justice in 1935 when the Labour Party formed a government. Later, he also served as Minister of Trade and Minister of Supplies.
As a socialist, Lie once met Vladimir Lenin, a famous Russian revolutionary, during a trip to Moscow. He also allowed Leon Trotsky, another important figure from the Soviet Union, to live in Norway after he was exiled. However, due to pressure from Joseph Stalin, Lie later had to ask Trotsky to leave the country.
When Nazi Germany invaded Norway in 1940, Lie took a brave step. He ordered all Norwegian ships to sail to ports controlled by the Allies, preventing them from falling into enemy hands. In 1941, he became the Foreign Minister for the Norwegian government that was in exile during the war. He held this important role until 1946.
Leading the United Nations
Lie played a big part in creating the United Nations. He led Norway's team to the UN conference in San Francisco in 1945, helping to write the rules for the United Nations Security Council.
Becoming the First Secretary-General
In 1946, Trygve Lie was chosen as the very first Secretary-General of the United Nations. This was a huge honor and a very important job. He was elected by a unanimous vote in the Security Council and a large majority in the General Assembly. As the first person in this new role, he helped define what the Secretary-General's job would be in international diplomacy.
Key Actions as Secretary-General
As Secretary-General, Lie worked to solve many global problems.
- He strongly supported the creation of new nations like Israel and Indonesia.
- He sent the first peacekeeping forces to the former British Mandate of Palestine in 1948. This was the start of the "UNTSO" mission, the first UN peacekeeping operation.
- He worked to get Soviet forces to leave Iran in 1946 and helped arrange a ceasefire in Kashmir.
- He tried to help solve the Berlin Blockade in 1948, which was a major crisis between Russia and Western countries.
The Korean War and Challenges
Lie was the Secretary-General during the Korean War, which started in 1950.
- When North Korea attacked, Lie quickly called a meeting of the Security Council. He said the attack was against the UN itself and that the Council should act to restore peace.
- A resolution was passed, leading to a UN-backed military response. This decision made the Soviet Union very angry.
- Lie wanted an international group to lead the military forces, but a compromise was reached where a unified UN command was created under a US general.
- His term was extended in 1950, even though the Soviet Union objected because of his actions during the Korean War.
By late 1952, the Soviet Union still refused to recognize Lie as Secretary-General. He also faced accusations in the United States. Because of these challenges, Trygve Lie resigned from his position on November 10, 1952.
After the United Nations
After leaving the UN, Lie continued to be active in Norwegian politics. He served as the County Governor of Oslo and Akershus, and later as Minister of Industry and Minister of Trade and Shipping. He also wrote several books about his experiences, including In the Cause of Peace, which tells about his time at the UN.
Family and Later Life
Trygve Lie married Hjørdis Jørgensen in 1921. They had three daughters: Sissel, Guri, and Mette.
Lie passed away on December 30, 1968, from a heart attack in Geilo, Norway. He was 72 years old.
Awards and Recognition
Trygve Lie received many awards from Norway and other countries. These included Norway's highest civilian award, the Medal for Outstanding Civic Service, and the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav. He also received honorary doctorates from many universities.
His Legacy
As the first Secretary-General, Trygve Lie had a huge role in building the United Nations from the ground up. He helped set up its main office in New York and guided the organization through many difficult conflicts after World War II, especially during the early years of the Cold War. He helped shape the important role the Secretary-General plays today.
Today, "Trygve Lie's Square" in Oslo has a bronze statue of him. There are also places named after him in New York City, like the Trygve Lie Gallery and Trygve Lie Plaza.
Selected Works
- Den nye arbeidstvistlov, 1933
- De forente nasjoner, 1949
- Syv år for freden, 1954 (published in English as In the Cause of Peace: Seven Years with the United Nations)
- Internasjonal politikk, 1955
- Leve eller dø. Norge i krig, 1955
- Med England i ildlinjen 1940–42, 1956
- Hjemover, 1958
- Oslo–Moskva–London, 1968
