To What extent was the League of nations a success Flashcards
what year was the League of nations setup
1920
why was the USA not a member of the League of Nations
President Wilson had been key in the construction of the however US citizens didn’t want to join the league as they didn’t want to get involved in Europe’s problems anymore
What were the aims of the league of nations
- to discourage aggression from any nation
- to encourage countries to cooperate especially in business and trade
- to encourage nations to disarm
- to improve the living and working conditions of people in all parts of the world
Which two countries were the most powerful in the league
Britain and France
why did many think the league wouldn’t work
Many people felt that the USA was the only country with resources to lead it and that Britain and France had been left weak by the war and couldn’t run the league
why did Britain and France not devote much time to the league
as they wanted to help rebuild their own countries and rebuild trade
what was the structure of the league
learn page 26-27 walsh text book
what was the Geneva Protocol
is said that if two members were in a dispute they would have to ask the league for a solution and would both have to accept the councils decision
why was the Geneva protocol never introduced
the new British conservative government was worried that Britain would be forced to agree to something that was not in its own interest
How did the league of nations make the world better
1) Refugees, league did tremendous work in getting refugees and former prisoners of war back to their homelands (first few years 400,000 prisoners returned through leagues agencies)
2) Working conditions, labour organization successful in banning toxic substances in the work place, limited numbers of hours children could work
3) Health, the health committee (now WHO) worked to deafet illness such a malleria and leprosy (even ussr took its advice)
4) Transport, introduced high way code
5) social problems
involved in freeing 200,000 slaves
what happened at Vilna 1920
dispute between: Poland, Lithuania
aggressor : Poland
background: Vilna made capital of new country Lithuania (but must of population were polish) so private polish army invaded
Leagues response: told Poland to withdraw however they didn’t, as France didn’t want to upset Poland nothing happened
league failure
What happened at Upper Silesia, 1921
Dispute Between; Germany, Poland
background: Upper Silesia was highly industrial region on the border between Germany and Poland, both countries claimed right to the land.
Leagues response; a vote was taken in the area, industrial areas wanted to join Germany and rural areas Poland. Region was divided along these lines and both countries accepted the outcome
league success
What happened at the Aaland Islands, 1921
Dispute Between; Sweden and Finland
Background: Aaland islands located midway between Sweden and Finland, both countries claimed ownership of them and threatened to take up arms against each other
Leagues response; studied matter closely and decied the islands should go to Finland and Sweden accepts this ruling.
League success
What happened at Corfu, 1923
Dispute Between; Greece, Albania
Background; border between Greece and Albania needed to be sorted. Italian General Tellini was put in charge. Tellini and his team were killed in a ambush
Mussolini blamed Greece and demanded them to pay compensation
Mussolini took over the Greek island of Corfu
Leagues actions; said that Greece had to pay compensation to Italy, the league would hold the money
was it a success: No as behind the scenes Mussolini got to work on persuading the conference of Ambassadors and persuaded them to change the ruling. Greece had to pay compensation and apologies. Mussolini withdrew from Corfu and claimed a triumph
what was the Manchurian crisis 1931-1933
Dispute between; Japan, China
Problem : Japan invaded Manchuria
Response; after a long delay, no action was taken (economic sanctions were suggested however USA didn’t support it so was pretty irrelevant)
Effect; Made the league seem weak and ineffective
