3) The League of Nations Flashcards
When was the League formed?
January 1920
Why was the LoN formed?
To promote peace and disarmament
Improve working conditions
Tackle disease and poverty
Who were the 4 permanent members of the League?
Britain, France, Italy and Japan
Who was not initially allowed to join the League?
Russia: Britain and France was suspicious of the new Communist govt
Germany: countries that lost the war couldn’t join at first
Why did USA not join the League of Nations?
The Senate refused to agree and the people had seen too many people die in WW1 (116,000)
Wilson was devastated about not joining the league.
How did the absence of USA affect the League?
It undermined the League as a ‘global organisation’ and meant that if a country faced economic sanctions, it could still trade with one of the richest and most powerful countries.
Initial number of League members
42
Number of League members in 1934
58
Fontainebleau Memorandum
David Lloyd George’s official statement saying that he completely supported the League
Signed 1919 at the Paris Peace Conference
How did the League plan to keep peace?
Collective Security
What did the LoN set up in 1920?
Permanent Court of International Justice
If every country in it followed the same laws there would be less chance of disagreeing
How did the Covenant deal with aggression?
1) Mitigation
2) Moral condemnation
3) Economic sanctions
Name 3 ‘Special Commissions’ groups
International Labour Organisation
Slavery commission
Disarmament commission
Why was the LoN slow?
It had a complicated structure.
International Labour Organisation
Success and Failure
Success: in 1928, 77 countries agreed to a minimum wage
Failure: Did not stop the employment of under 14s in 1919
The Health Committee
Ran multiple campaigns against disease e.g. educating Russians on the dangers of typhus
Was renamed the WHO in 1948 and still exists today
Describe the dispute at Memel. Was it a success or failure for the LoN?
-The port was disputed between Lithuania and Poland
-ToV said it was a free city
-1923: Lithuania seized the port
-LoN said it could keep the surrounding areas
SUCCESS: Lithuania agreed and dispute stopped
FAILURE: Lithuania was rewarded for the initial invasion by being allowed land
Describe the Corfu crisis. Was it a success or failure for the LoN?
-Italian army official Tellini was sent to survey the Greco-Bulgarian border after disputes
-He and 4 of his men were murdered
-Mussolini invaded Corfu
-LoN issued a moral condemnation which Italy ignored
-France didn’t get involved due to the Ruhr crisis
FAILURE: It was now evident that the LoN would not enforce justice against a strong, aggressive nation
France showed a lack of support for the League
Describe the dispute at Upper Silesia. Was it a success or failure for the LoN?
1921: This was between Poland and Germany as they both wanted Upper Silesia. The league decided to split it into two giving Germany the rural side and Poland the industrial side.
This caused tension as Germans wouldn’t make as much money on the land. To solve this the League suggested Poland give Germany more coal.
SUCCESS: This settled the tension, and showed that the League could solve disputes peacefully.
Give 2 successes and failures of the LoN (international relations)
SUCCESSES
-Aaland Islands 1921
-Upper Silesia 1921-25
FAILURES:
-Ruhr crisis 1923
-Corfu 1923
What was the Locarno Pact and how did it affect the League?
December 1925
Signed by: Germany, Italy, Britain, France and Belgium
Purpose: Promote Germany/France peace
Agreed without the League as Germany wasn’t a member yet. Two of the permanent members were involved, further undermining the LoN
Kellogg-Briand Pact
August 1928
Signed by: Germany and 61 other countries
Purpose: Countries promised not go to war to fulfil FP aims
This was a significant move yet failed to include the League. No longer important in the prevention of international tensions.