2.2.2 Failures of the LoN 1 Flashcards
Failures of the International Labour Organisation (2)
- In 1919, there was an attempt to stop child labour (under 14 years old) but lots of countries didn’t want this to stop as it would cost them too much money by paying older workers
- There was also a push to try and limit working hours to 8 hours a day. Many countries didn’t like the idea of this as it would cost them money because they would have to employ more workers to work with an 8 hour window
Failure of the Permanent Central Opium Board (3)
- Whilst many countries did try to stop the illegal trade of opium, this wasn’t widespread. Some countries in the League did not want to stop the trade of opium as they made so much money from it
- Only 4 companies internationally were blacklisted for selling drugs.
- The League of Nations did hold a conference in 1925, but there was limited success
From the Permanent Central Opium Board, how many companies were internationally blacklisted for selling drugs?
4
Failure of the Commission for Refugees
During the 1930s, failed to help Jews trying to free Nazi Germany
Failure of the Economic and Financial Commitee
Unable to cope with global depression after 1929
How was the incident of Upper Silesia a failure?
When the League split Silesia into sections according to how they had voted, both Germany and Poland disagreed with it. The Poland claimed they lost half a million of the Polish people to the land that now belonged to Germany and the Germans claimed that they lost too many coal mines.
What did the League do after the partition of Silesia was decided?
The League of Nations then presided over discussions between Germany and Poland. The two countries agreed on trading laws, citizens’ rights, economic benefits and border control in the two parts of Silesia. On the 15th May 1922, the German-Polish Accord on East Silesia was signed in Geneva. As time went on, tensions between these two countries continued to worsen.
What was the result of the plebiscite in Upper Silesia?
60% of people wanted to be part of Germany
Complaints over the partition of Silesia: (2)
- The Polish claimed they lost half a million Polish people to land that now belonged to Germany
- The Germans claimed that they lost too many coal mines
Which two countries agreed that Upper Silesia should have a plebiscite (vote) so that the people could decide on what they wanted?
France
Why did Mussolini invade Corfu?
An Italian man, Tellini, was murdered in Greece after surveying the land at the request of the League of Nations. Mussolini (the leader of Italy) was outraged at this and blamed the Greek government and demanded compensation and that anyone associated with the murder of Tellini be round up and shot but Greece did not know who the murderers were so could not do this
How many people did Mussolini kill when he invaded Corfu?
16
How did the League respond to the invasion of Corfu?
The Greeks complained to the League of Nations and asked them to get Mussolini out and to catch the killers of their people. But, the League of Nations agreed that Mussolini (or Italy) should be paid compensation over the murder of Tellini.
How did Mussolini go further in his desire to undermine the League?
He got Britain, France and Japan to agree to make Greece pay compensation and also formally apologise to Italy. He complained to the Conference of Ambassadors and Greece was forced to apologise to Mussolini and to pay compensation
What did Mussolini undermining the League really show?
Mussolini had shown that the League could not enforce justice when one country involved was a larger, stronger country. The League could be ignored or bullied by strong countries. Also, this showed Mussolini and other leaders that if they pushed hard enough they could get what they wanted, regardless of what the League of Nations said