Why did the League of Nations fail to keep the peace in the 1930s? #3b

Question 1

What major global event highlighted the failure of the League of Nations in the 1930s?

Answer 1

The Second World War

Question 2

When did the World Disarmament Conference take place?

Answer 2

1932–1933

Question 3

Why did the World Disarmament Conference fail?

Answer 3

Due to worsening global tensions and mistrust among nations.

Question 4

How did the 1929 Economic Depression affect disarmament efforts?

Answer 4

Nations prioritized military strength to maintain order and stability at home.

Question 5

How did Japanese aggression demonstrate the League’s weakness?

Answer 5

Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and withdrew from the League in 1933 without facing serious consequences.

Question 6

Why did Hitler justify Germany’s rearmament?

Answer 6

He claimed unequal disarmament under the Treaty of Versailles left Germany vulnerable.

Question 7

What was the real motive behind Hitler’s rearmament?

Answer 7

To defy international agreements and restore Germany’s military power.

Question 7

How did France contribute to the failure of the Disarmament Conference?

Answer 7

France refused to compromise on its own military strength, leading to German withdrawal.

Question 8

How did the withdrawal of Germany and Japan affect the League?

Answer 8

It diminished the League’s credibility and effectiveness.

Question 9

What impact did the failure of disarmament have on international relations?

Answer 9

It led countries to rearm in self-defense, undermining collective security

Question 10

How did the League of Nations respond to the Manchurian Crisis?

Answer 10

It set up the Lytton Commission in 1932 to investigate the invasion.

Question 11

What did the Lytton Report conclude?

Answer 11

Japan was at fault and Manchuria should be returned to China under League oversight.

Question 11

What was the Lytton Commission?

Answer 11

• fact-finding mission set up by the LoN in 1932 to investigate the Japanese invasion of Manchuria
• began in 1931.
• Led by Lord Lytton, a British diplomat
• Delegates from Britain, France, Italy, Germany, and the United States

Question 12

What was Japan’s reaction to the League’s decision on Manchuria?

Answer 12

Japan rejected the League’s decision and withdrew from the League in 1933.

Question 13

Why did the League fail to act against Japan after the Manchurian invasion?

Answer 13

Britain and France were unwilling to impose sanctions or use force during the Great Depression

Question 14

How did the League respond to the invasion of Abyssinia?

Answer 14

It condemned Italy and imposed limited economic sanctions.

Question 14

What caused the Abyssinian Crisis?

Answer 14

Italy, under Mussolini, invaded Abyssinia for territorial expansion.

Question 15

Why were the sanctions during the Abyssinian Crisis ineffective?

Answer 15

They excluded vital materials like oil and steel.

Question 16

What was the Hoare-Laval Pact?

Answer 16

A secret agreement between Britain and France to give parts of Abyssinia to Italy.

Question 17

What happened to the Hoare-Laval Pact?

Answer 17

It was abandoned due to public outrage.

Question 18

What was the outcome of the Abyssinian Crisis?

Answer 18

Italy successfully conquered Abyssinia, left the League, and aligned with Nazi Germany

Question 19

How did economic conditions affect the League’s actions?

Answer 19

The Great Depression made countries unwilling to risk sanctions or war.

Question 20

How did national interests weaken the League?

Answer 20

Britain and France prioritized alliances and their own security over enforcing League decisions.

Question 21

What structural weaknesses limited the League’s effectiveness?

Answer 21

The League lacked its own military and relied on member states who were often unwilling to act.

Question 22

What impact did the Manchurian and Abyssinian Crises have on the League?

Answer 22

They showed the League’s inability to stop aggression and damaged its credibility.

Question 23

How did these crises encourage further aggression?

Answer 23

Dictators like Hitler and the Japanese military saw the League’s weakness and acted more boldly.

Question 24

How did Britain and France’s policies affect the League?

Answer 24

Their pursuit of appeasement and unwillingness to confront aggressors weakened the League further

Question 25

How did these failures contribute to World War II?

Answer 25

They deepened instability and emboldened aggressive powers, leading to wider conflict.

Question 26

How did Mussolini view the League of Nations?

Answer 26

He was never fully committed and ignored its decisions as early as the Corfu incident (1923).

Question 27

Why did Italy remain in the League initially?

Answer 27

For security and to maintain good relations with Britain and France.

Question 28

Why did Italy withdraw from the League?

Answer 28

In response to sanctions after the Abyssinian invasion (1935–36).

Question 29

What was Hitler's attitude toward the League?

Answer 29

He saw it as a tool of Britain and France to uphold the Treaty of Versailles.

Question 30

When did Germany leave the League of Nations?

Answer 30

In 1933, after the failure of the World Disarmament Conference.

Question 31

What was Japan’s initial stance toward the League?

Answer 31

Supportive, as a rising power and permanent Council member.

Question 32

Why did Japan's attitude shift?

Answer 32

Under military rule, Japan resented the League’s criticism over Manchuria and withdrew in 1933.

Question 33

Why did the USSR distrust the League of Nations?

Answer 33

It was excluded at its founding and viewed the League as a Western tool to isolate it.

Question 34

Why did the USSR join the League in 1934?

Answer 34

Due to fear of growing threats from Germany and Japan.

Question 35

How did the USSR feel about the League’s actions?

Answer 35

It remained critical of the League’s failure to ensure collective security.

Question 36

How did Britain and France’s attitude change in the 1930s?

Answer 36

They became disillusioned and prioritized national interests over League enforcement.

Question 37

What policies did Britain and France prioritize over League principles?

Answer 37

National security, appeasement, and strategic alliances.

Question 38

Why were Britain and France reluctant to act through the League?

Answer 38

Economic constraints and fear of war made them avoid military action.

Question 39

How did the attitudes of major powers affect the League’s effectiveness?

Answer 39

Their self-interest and lack of commitment weakened the League’s ability to act

Question 40

What did the withdrawal of aggressive powers from the League lead to?

Answer 40

It further weakened the League, making it reliant on Britain and France, who were unwilling to act.

Question 41

What was the consequence for vulnerable nations?

Answer 41

They lost trust in the League, which failed to uphold peace and stability.