Key Syllabus Questions
To what extent was the League of Nations a success?
What were the aims, strengths and weaknesses of the organisation?
Successes and failures of peacekeeping during the 1920’s
The agencies of the League
What was the impact of the Great Depression?
Failures of the League during the 1930’s – Manchuria and Abyssinia
Intrinsic problems with the League - always very likely to fail!
Confused aims Fourteen Points (Jan 1918) - President Wilson had called for ‘a general association of nations...for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike.’ Part of TofV so LofN to protect the terms of that Treaty. Wilson = It ‘can arbitrate and correct mistakes’ in the treaties. Oversaw mandates and treatment of minorities and international zones like Danzig, Saar etc…
Weak enforcement French wanted the League to have its own military forces Britain and America did not. Covenant of the League (article 16) = no member of the League had to go to war in defence of the Covenant. International court (without a way of enforcing rulings) and then moral pressure and sanctions the only real measures against war. Article 8 encouraged disarmament. (Economic cooperation and improvement of living and working conditions around the world other aims). No clause on racial equality.
Weak structure Leader of the League = British diplomat, Sir Eric Drummond. The lack of an inspiring figurehead with world recognition was a serious blow. Council (BR, Fr, It and Japan + 4 non-permanent members) has veto for each member. Assembly met once a year and veto for each member
Weak membership Communist Russia and Germany excluded = ‘Victor’s Club’ + US rejects TofV 19th Nov 1919. Even Br and Fr (without much money + Imperial overstretch) kept other diplomatic avenues and alliances going as realise LofN weak.
League in 1920’s - even in the 1920’s with prosperity -