2. To what extent was the League of Nations a success?

Question 1

who where the members of the league

Answer 1

britain and france lead the league
italy and japan where in the security coulcil
usa was not in the league which made it loose power and legitimacy

Question 2

How was the decision making in the League and what were the actions available?

Answer 2

• all nation to joing would agree to disarm and protect eachother
• each member had a veto
• Actions available to the Council: moral condemnation; economic sanctions; military force
• decision took very long to happen
• assembly met once a uear and all decisions had to be unanimous

Question 3

boder dispute vilna

Answer 3

1920
Poland invaded Vilna, which was capital of newly created Lithuania. Lithuania appealed to League – League did nothing

Question 4

border dispute upper silesia

Answer 4

1921
Plebiscite among people in Silesia to decide whether to join Poland or Germany. Based on results, it was divided amongst the two countries

Question 5

border dispute aaland islands

Answer 5

1921
Dispute between Sweden and Finland over ownership of islands. League gave islands to Finland – Sweden accepted the decision

Question 6

border dispute corfu

Answer 6

1923
Mussolini invaded Corfu, after murder of Italian General. Greece appealed to League who condemned Mussolini’s actions. However, Mussolini used his influence to change the decision – Greece had to pay Italy compensation and apologise
biased

Question 7

border dispute bulgaria

Answer 7

1925
Greece invaded Bulgaria. The League condemned Greece and they were forced to pay compensation to Bulgaria and withdraw. One rule for small countries and another for major powers?

Question 8

work with the refugees

Answer 8

• 400,000 prisinors returned to homes
• refugee crisis in turkey in 1922- worked quicklu to prevent cholera, smallpox etc in refugee camps

Question 9

Progress with working conditions

Answer 9

• limited hours smalll children could work
• introduced maximum 48 hours a week
• encouaged employers to improve working conditions

Question 10

progress in health

Answer 10

The Health Committee helped defeat leprosy, and reduced malaria and yellow fever. Eventually became World Health Organisation

Question 11

work in transport

Answer 11

International highway code for road users and marking of shipping lanes

Question 12

work in social problems

Answer 12

• targeted illegal drug trade
• freed 200,000 slaves
• improved working conditions on building of Tanganyika railway in Africa

Question 13

disarmament agreement

Answer 13

1920s
- Plans in 1923 and 1926 all failed.
- Germany was only country that was disarmed – no other country was willing to disarm

Question 14

the locarno treaties

Answer 14

1925
- Germany accepted borders with France and Belgium
- Accepted the demilitarisation of the Rhineland
- As a result, Germany was invited to join the League in 1926

Question 15

kellog- briand pact

Answer 15

1928
65 nations agreed to reject war, and to use the League in the case of any disputes that may arise. However, did not state what would happen if countries broke the Pact.

Question 16

What was the economic depression? What were its effects in Europe and the LoN?

Answer 16

• Wall Street Crash in 1929 led to economic depression
• Britain unwilling to get involved in international disputes due to her own economic problems
• Depression in Germany led to rise of Hitler and the Nazi party and a more nationalistic approach to foreign policy
• France became increasingly suspicious of Germany and began reinforcing its borders

Question 17

What was the Manchurian crisis?

give years

Answer 17

• 1931: Japan invaded Manchuria
• Feb 1932: set up puppet government in Manchuria
• League condemned Japan’s actions
• Japan resigned from League and did not approve of report
• League was powerless to stop Japan, since nor Britain or France wanted to intervene militarily
• Hitler and Mussolini saw the League’s failure

Question 18

Failure of disarmament in 1930s?

Answer 18

• July 1932 – Disarmament Conference promised to limit artillery, tanks and prohibit chemical weapons
• However, there was no way of enforcing these restrictions
• October 1933 – Hitler withdrew from the League, protesting about the inequality of disarmament across Europe – Germany felt they were being singled out

Question 19

Abyssinian crisis

Answer 19

• Mussolini wanted to invade Abyssinia to expand Italian empire
• League condemned the potential invasion and suggested to split Abyssinia, Mussolini rejected
• 1935: full scale invasion - League failed to act, British + French tried to make private arrangements with Italy
• 1936: Hitler saw League’s failure and invaded the Rhineland
• Neither Britain or France were prepared to prevent Mussolini from taking over Abyssinia