3) The League of Nations

Question 1

When was the League formed?

Answer 1

January 1920

Question 2

Why was the LoN formed?

Answer 2

To promote peace and disarmament
Improve working conditions
Tackle disease and poverty

Question 3

Who were the 4 permanent members of the League?

Answer 3

Britain, France, Italy and Japan

Question 4

Who was not initially allowed to join the League?

Answer 4

Russia: Britain and France was suspicious of the new Communist govt

Germany: countries that lost the war couldn’t join at first

Question 5

Why did USA not join the League of Nations?

Answer 5

The Senate refused to agree and the people had seen too many people die in WW1 (116,000)
Wilson was devastated about not joining the league.

Question 6

How did the absence of USA affect the League?

Answer 6

It undermined the League as a ‘global organisation’ and meant that if a country faced economic sanctions, it could still trade with one of the richest and most powerful countries.

Question 7

Initial number of League members

Answer 7

42

Question 8

Number of League members in 1934

Answer 8

58

Question 9

Fontainebleau Memorandum

Answer 9

David Lloyd George’s official statement saying that he completely supported the League
Signed 1919 at the Paris Peace Conference

Question 10

How did the League plan to keep peace?

Answer 10

Collective Security

Question 11

What did the LoN set up in 1920?

Answer 11

Permanent Court of International Justice

If every country in it followed the same laws there would be less chance of disagreeing

Question 12

How did the Covenant deal with aggression?

Answer 12

1) Mitigation
2) Moral condemnation
3) Economic sanctions

Question 13

Name 3 ‘Special Commissions’ groups

Answer 13

International Labour Organisation
Slavery commission
Disarmament commission

Question 14

Why was the LoN slow?

Answer 14

It had a complicated structure.

Question 15

International Labour Organisation
Success and Failure

Answer 15

Success: in 1928, 77 countries agreed to a minimum wage

Failure: Did not stop the employment of under 14s in 1919

Question 16

The Health Committee

Answer 16

Ran multiple campaigns against disease e.g. educating Russians on the dangers of typhus

Was renamed the WHO in 1948 and still exists today

Question 17

Describe the dispute at Memel. Was it a success or failure for the LoN?

Answer 17

-The port was disputed between Lithuania and Poland
-ToV said it was a free city
-1923: Lithuania seized the port
-LoN said it could keep the surrounding areas

SUCCESS: Lithuania agreed and dispute stopped
FAILURE: Lithuania was rewarded for the initial invasion by being allowed land

Question 18

Describe the Corfu crisis. Was it a success or failure for the LoN?

Answer 18

-Italian army official Tellini was sent to survey the Greco-Bulgarian border after disputes
-He and 4 of his men were murdered
-Mussolini invaded Corfu
-LoN issued a moral condemnation which Italy ignored
-France didn’t get involved due to the Ruhr crisis

FAILURE: It was now evident that the LoN would not enforce justice against a strong, aggressive nation
France showed a lack of support for the League

Question 19

Describe the dispute at Upper Silesia. Was it a success or failure for the LoN?

Answer 19

1921: This was between Poland and Germany as they both wanted Upper Silesia. The league decided to split it into two giving Germany the rural side and Poland the industrial side.

This caused tension as Germans wouldn’t make as much money on the land. To solve this the League suggested Poland give Germany more coal.
SUCCESS: This settled the tension, and showed that the League could solve disputes peacefully.

Question 20

Give 2 successes and failures of the LoN (international relations)

Answer 20

SUCCESSES
-Aaland Islands 1921
-Upper Silesia 1921-25

FAILURES:
-Ruhr crisis 1923
-Corfu 1923

Question 21

What was the Locarno Pact and how did it affect the League?

Answer 21

December 1925
Signed by: Germany, Italy, Britain, France and Belgium
Purpose: Promote Germany/France peace
Agreed without the League as Germany wasn’t a member yet. Two of the permanent members were involved, further undermining the LoN

Question 22

Kellogg-Briand Pact

Answer 22

August 1928
Signed by: Germany and 61 other countries
Purpose: Countries promised not go to war to fulfil FP aims
This was a significant move yet failed to include the League. No longer important in the prevention of international tensions.