Impact of WW1 : League of Nations (failure) Flashcards
Lack of authority (structural weaknesses)
One reason for the failure of the League of Nations was its lack of authority as it was structurally weak. For example, the league did not take actions against Japan when she invaded Manchuria in 1931 and only gave verbal condemnations. This is because the league had no army and police force to enforce rules or military sanctions against aggressive nations. Therefore, without a body to enforce decisions, members became more bold in their actions as they were certain that the league would not resort to force. Thus countries continued to expand their land by conquest making the League of Nations a failure.
Slow-decision making (structural weaknesses)
One reason for the failure of the League of Nations was its slow-decision making as the league was understaffed and ineffective in responding to being problems. For example, when Japan attacked Manchuria in 1931, the League took one year to send Lord Lytton to study and give his recommendations. However, Japan had already successfully captured Manchuria. This means that the League was exposed for being toothless and promoted aggressive countries to become even more bolder in their expansionist policies. Therefore, this made the league seemed weak and affected their credibility in resolving conflicts quickly. They were unable to stop aggressor countries which hindered their aims of peace and safekeeping. Thus the League of Nation was a failure due it their slow-decision making.
Limited membership (structural weaknesses)
One reason for the failure of the League of Nations is its limited membership from the world’s nation. For example, the USA decided not to join the league, following the policy of isolationism. Germany was not allowed to join the league until 1926 after proving to be a peace loving nation. The USSR was also not allowed to join until 1934 because communism was seen as a threat. Thus, the absence of the three major powers affected the authority and credibility of the league. Therefore, it made the league seem weak and toothless, and were unable to enforce sanctions effectively. Thus, the League’s limited membership was why the League of Nations was a failure.
Appeasement (post-war attitudes of major powers)
One reason for the failure of the League of Nations is due to the pacifist attitudes to the major superpowers. For example, Britain and France refused to take military action against Italy when she invaded Abyssinia in 1935 as they were afraid to be drawn into another war. They hence signed separate agreement to secretly allow Italy to take over Abyssinia. This is because Britain and France were suffering from losses of WWI in terms of human and financial costs, and thus adopted a pacifist attitude towards international conflicts. Therefore, the league was ineffective and constantly gave in to aggressive countries which led to these nations becoming even bolder and were not afraid of the League no longer. Thus, the appeasement was why the League of Nation was a failure.
Distrust leading to lack of disarmament (post-war attitudes of major powers)
One reason for the failure of the League of Nations is due to distrust among European countries leading to the lack of disarmament. For example, very few countries followed the 1923 Treaty of Mutual Assistance where countries would reduce arms. The 1924 Geneva Protocol was also not followed where nations would bring disputes to discussion without waging war. This means that the League members were unwilling to disarm themselves as it affects their ability to protect their interests and territories, if they were attacked. Therefore, there was an atmosphere of distrust after WWI affecting relations between powers. The powers still were interested in self-protection and thus leading the reluctance of disarming. Thus, the league had failed to achieve disarmament which is one failure.
Self-interest of member nations (post-war attitudes of major powers)
One reason for the failure of the League of Nations is that member nations were unwilling to act beyond the self-interest of their own. For example, Britain was unwilling to impose an economic sanction on Japan after Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 as they were interested on Japanese trade in the post- Great Depression era. This means that Britain did not want to impose the economic sanctions as it would cost them money and jobs during the Great Depression in 1929. Therefore, it shows that the League was not united and member nations had their own self-interests and gains. Thus, the League’s goal of world peace and security was less significant leading to the failure of the League of Nations.
