2- League Of Nations In The 1920s

Question 1

Corfu, 1923

Answer 1

Major Failure,
Tellini, an Italian general, killed by Greeks
Mussolini furious, and blamed the government
Bombarded Corfu in August 1923, occupies island and kills 15

Greece Appeals to League.
Blames Italy, but Greece pays compensation
Mussolini disagrees, uses Conference of Ambassadors
Britain and France unwilling to act. Ambassadors swap League Decision
Greece is blamed and pays fines
Mussolini is smug
Highlights weakness in league against major powers

Question 2

Bulgaria, 1925

Answer 2

Major Success
Greece invade Bulgaria 
Both countries were to stand down and Greece to withdraw 
Britain and France were willing to help
Opinions on League rise

Question 3

Silesian Plebiscite, 1921

Answer 3

Major success
League oversaw a plebiscite in Silesia,
Equal vote meant region split between Germany and Poland,
Both countries accepted

Question 4

Vilna 1920

Answer 4

Major Failure
Poland invaded Lithuanian capital Vilna
Appealed to the league, who protested against Poland
Poles didn’t pull out, Britain and France were unwilling to act

Question 5

Refugees

Answer 5

400,000 aided by league agencies, especially in Turkey in 1922
Constantly short on founds and work became more difficult

Question 6

Working conditions

Answer 6

Banned White Lead Paint
Maximum 48 hour week
Limited hours of young children

Had limited power, could only name and shame

Question 7

Health

Answer 7

Highly successful
Sponsored disease research against malaria and leprosy
Most successful agency,
Work continued after 1945 as the World Health Organisarion

Question 8

Slavery

Answer 8

Helped 200,000 slaves in Sierra Leone
Challenged the use of slaves in Tanganyika railway.
50% death rate, to 4%

Question 9

Disarmament

Answer 9

Washington Conference in 1921 limited the size of the Navy of Japan, England, France
Germany had disarmed, no one else had, major failure as key point of league’s existence. Not too serous as countries were recovering in 1920s. Still bad though
Lack of Action meant this was failure for league

Question 10

Economic Recovery

Answer 10

Use of the Dawes Plan in 1924 to float economy, industry and trade. Increased trade decreased international tension. Example is hyperinflation in Germany being stopped

Question 11

Conclusion

Answer 11

The League was successful in the 1920s because the problems it faced weren’t major threats to peace. Although little work had been done for disarmament, international tensions were low.
Although challenged by many disputes, the league was able to overcome these and Peace was maintained