Formation & Structure

Question 1

The league was the (brainchild) of whom?

Answer 1

• President Woodrow Wilson.
• Dreamt of making the world ‘safe for democracy’.
• Considered by many to be an ‘idealist’.

Question 2

What were the League’s mains aims?

Answer 2

• To encourage world peace by offering ‘collective security’ & committing to mediation or arbitration.
• World disarmament.
• Improving ‘living & working’ conditions e.g abolishing slavery.

Question 3

How was the League structured? (Summary)

Answer 3

• Assembly.
• Council.
• International Court of Justice.
• Secretariat.
• Commissions.

Question 4

The role of the Assembly

Answer 4

• A form of League Parliament All nations members (42 at start)
• Met annually
• Main role - to discuss / approve membership, elect non-permanent members of the Council (5) and set budgets.

Question 5

The role of the Council

Answer 5

• Acted as an ‘executive’ Body - dealing with disputes as they arose.
• Had four Permanent members - Britain, France, Italy, Japan.
• Had five non permanent members as elected by the league assembly.
• Each of the four permanent members were in titled to a VETO.

Question 6

The role of the International Court of Justice.

Answer 6

• First, it settles, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States.
• Such disputes may concern, in particular, land frontiers, maritime boundaries, territorial sovereignty, the non use of force, violation of international humanitarian law, non interference in the internal affairs of States, diplomatic relations, hostage taking, the right of asylum, nationality etc
• Based in The Hague
• Problem - it’s rulings were not legally binding’