Impact of LON on Empire Flashcards
What was the goal of the LON? How would this have helped Britain’s imperial interests?
The goal was to create peace and prevent conflict. In so doing, this would help mantain the status quo which corresponded to the British policy of Splendid Isolation
What was Article 22 of the League of Nation’s mandate?
It was an article which established mandates - undeveloped territories to be owned by developed powers so as to be brought to a point of self-government and autonomy
Why did the mandate system have a limited impact on the shape of the British empire?
- System only applied to the mandated territories (German East Africa, Palestine, Transjordan, Mesopotamia and Cameroon/Togoland) and hence not most of empire
- The Permanent Mandates Commission was only a moral force and hence Britain was not legally accountable to the LON for its control of mandated colonies
How can the mandate system be seen to have a limited impact on British control of German East Africa?
Britain continued acquiring land off natives in this territory and natives weren’t required to play a role in administration there either
How can Britain be seen to continue pursuing metropolitan interests in Palestine despite the mandate there?
- The mandate for Palestine was based off the Balfour Declaration (a metropolitan objective)
- Britain constructed the likes of a pipeline through Palestine for its economic interests
What was the Permanent Mandates Commission?
A body which met twice yearly with mandate powers to discuss and evaluate the management of mandated territories. Reports had to be submitted to them. Partially made up of former colonial governors and imperialists.
How can Britain be seen to feel some restrictions from the mandate in Tanganyika?
- In 1933, they conceded that building a naval base there was contrary to the mandate system
- Likewise, cheaper American products were bought there as opposed to British products which would have been expected under an imperial preference system.
Which key element in the LON’s structure set it up to fail in maintaing a balance of power?
The Soviet Union and the USA were not part of it
What key element of the LON’s structure meant that it was unlikely to impact British imperialism?
Britain (as well as France) were permanent members of the Council and hence, had a veto. This meant they would be able to counter any of the league’s anti-imperial policies.
Where did the LON have success in the 1920s?
- 1921 with the peaceful division of Upper Silesia between Poland and Germany
- 1921 with the resolution of Sweden and Finland’s competing claims to the Aaland Islands
- 1925 with the prevention of a Greek invasion of Bulgaria
Where did the LON have failures in the 1920s?
- Failed to bring about disarmament
- Wasn’t able to Stop the Polish invasion of Vilna in 1920
- Was manipulated by Mussolini so that he managed to get direct compensation paid to him by the Greek government for the murder of an Italian general in 1923
What were the two crisis in 1930s which the LON fundamentally failed to deal with?
- The Manchurian Crisis (1931-33)
- The Abyssinia Crisis (1935-36)
Why was the LON ineffective at dealing with the Manchurian Crisis?
- They didn’t enforce any economic sanctions since the USA, Japan’s main trading partner, was not a member
- Japan simply resigned from the LON after eventual condemnation (the report for which took a year to make)
- No arms sale ban was agreed as Britain and France didn’t want to antagonise Japan militarily
Why was the LON ineffective at dealing with the Italian invasion of Abyssinia?
- The economic sanctions imposed were not followed by 3 member states and key sanctions on products such as oil were not included
- The conflict was resolved by Britain and France of their own accord : essentially, Italy ended up with what they wanted
