League of Nations Flashcards
(46 cards)
What were the aims of the LON
Solve disputes
Promote world disarmament
Facilitate free trade
Improve the standard of living
What were the 14 Points proposed by Wilson
Self-determination
Disarmament,
Open discussions of issues
Removal of trade tariffs.
What limitations did the League of Nations face?
It did not include the USSR, Germany (due to the Treaty of Versailles), and the USA, which was blocked by the Senate.
Why did Britain and France consider the League weak?
They believed it was ineffective without the USA and both countries were economically weakened post-WW1.
Why did America not join the League
Believed the League would drag them into European conflicts; they were against the US joining the WW1 in 1917
Many had German ancestry – sympathised for Germany
Many against the idea of empires – did not want to help the nations with empires (anti-imperialist)
What was the structure of the League of Nations?
It consisted of an Assembly, a Council, the International Labour Organisation, and a Permanent Court of Justice and Secretariat.
What was the Assembly’s function in the League?
Each country had a representative, and policies were passed only with unanimous agreement, meeting once a year.
What was the Council’s role in the League?
A smaller group that met five times a year to make quicker decisions, including moral condemnation, trade sanctions, and military force.
What was a strength of the Assembly?
All members had one vote, preventing any single country from dominating.
What was a weakness of the Assembly?
Decision-making was slow as all members had to agree, and it only met once a year.
What was the Permanent Court of Justice’s strength?
It was well-respected and provided legal expertise.
What was a weakness of the Permanent Court of Justice?
It could not enforce its judgments.
Why was the League’s failure considered inevitable?
The absence of the USA meant countries could ignore sanctions and military decisions made by the Council.
What differing views did leaders have about the League?
Wilson saw it as a parliament for international issues, while Lloyd George viewed it as a tool for emergencies, and Clemenceau wanted a strong military for the League
What and when was the Washington Naval Agreement
It limited Japanese imperialism and set ship tonnage limits for Britain, the US, and Japan, marking early disarmament efforts.
1922
What and when was the Rapallo Treaty ?
An agreement between Germany and the USSR to build reputations and allow German military training on Soviet soil (secret), undermining the League, neither had consulted the League
End of reparations
1922
What was the significance of the Locarno Treaty of 1925?
It improved Germany’s international reputation and promised peace between France and Germany.
- Infuriated extremist parties - they were accepting the TOV
What was the Dawes Plan and when was it
It temporarily reduced Germany’s reparations, leading to increased industrial output but was risky due to dependence on US prosperity.
1924
What was the Young Plan and when was it?
It reduced Germany’s reparations by two-thirds and improved relations with Allies, but angered extremist parties, had to pay reparations until 1988
Hitler says they were “passing the penalty to the unborn”
1929
What was Article 10 of the League’s Covenant?
It established collective security, stating that an attack on one member was an attack on all.
What and when was Vilna?
South Lithuania, large city – wanted to be part of Poland instead, Poland sent an army to capture Vilna – league tried to force Poland to withdraw, Poland refused and Vilna became part of Poland
1920
Why was Vilna Important
Undermined the leagues power, first time a country had requested for help from the League, League did not follow ideas of collective security, showed self-interest
France did not want to upset Poland and Britain did not want to act without the support of other members
What was the outcome of the Aaland Islands dispute and when was it?
The League decided they should remain Finnish, and Sweden accepted the decision, Showed how the League was successful in making decisions – based only if the country listened to it
What and when was the Upper Silesia Crisis?
Upper Silesia taken in the TOV – League gave them a plebiscite, won in German favour, agricultural side given to Germany, both sides complained. They both accepted the ruling, yet when the solution left conditions worsened.
1921
