Chap 1.2: Reasons for weakness of LON Flashcards
1
Q
Reasons for the weakness of LON
A
STRUCTURAL
- —> Membership
- —> Authority & Credibility
- —> Cooperation
POST WAR ATTITUDES
- —> Pacifist attitude / Self interest
- —> Appeasement
- —> Distrust
2
Q
Limited membership
A
Countries not in LON:
- —> USA (preferred non-interventionist policy)
- —> Germany (caused WW1)
- —> Soviet Union (communist)
Abyssinia crisis:
—-> weak economic sanctions as the league did not have USA support to sanction oil
Manchurian crisis:
—-> unable to get SU to provide arm support
3
Q
Lack of authority and credibility
A
- —> TOV seen as unfair
- —> organization for victors of WW1 as 31/42 members were part of allies
- —> not trustable
- —> inadequate peacekeeping methods
- —> Manchuria crisis: ineffective moral suasion against aggressive nations like Japan who simply ignore criticism
- —> military sanctions was handicapped by lack of army
- —> reluctance of members to be involved in military
4
Q
Lack of co-operation
A
- —> conference of ambassadors made decisions that should be made by the league
- —> difficult to gain agreement
- —> actions of league required unanimous votes by the council and 2/3 of assembly
- —> slow in passing decisions & reacting
5
Q
Pacifist attitudes
A
All countries:
- —> war-weary
- —> under pressure to rebuild the economy
- —> unwilling to use sanctions and be involved in conflicts, rather appease
- —> concerned with own interests
France:
—-> only concerned with containing Germany & ensured it was weak
USA:
—-> isolationism
Abyssinian crisis:
- —> Italy invaded Abyssinia
- —> economic sanctions ineffective
- —> Britain wanted Italy as ally
- —> concerned that economic sanctions would hurt their own economy
6
Q
Appeasement
A
WHY?
- —> weak military to enforce sanctions
- —> Britain & France unwilling to use sanctions & military force
INCIDENTS
- —> Gave a large part of Abyssinia to Italy
- —> Germany: did not take strong actions against Hitler’s expansionist policies (rearmament & remilitarisation of Rhineland)
7
Q
Distrust among countries
A
What:
- —> major powers refuse to disarm
- —> world disarmament conference: France & Britain refused to cooperate
Why:
- —> feared it would affect their ability to protect national interests & territories
- —> put national interest above the league
Result:
- —> countries built up military
- —> could start a war
8
Q
successes of league
A
- —> attempted to peacefully resolve many incidents in 1920
- —> The Aaland islands, 1921
- —> upper silesia, 1921
9
Q
successes of league examples (1st island)
A
the Aaland island:
- —> finland and sweden both wanted these islands
- —> they took dispute to league
- —> accepted decision to give them to finland
10
Q
successes of league (2nd island)
A
Upper Silesia:
- —> Germany and Poland wanted upper silesia
- —> league let ppl of upper silesia vote
- —> huge majority wanted to join Germany
- —> league split it into 2
