Intentions & authority of the League of Nations/United Nations

Question 1

what was the aim of the league

Answer 1

PRESERVATION OF WORLD PEACE

Question 2

aim of the UN

Answer 2

MAINTAIN INTERNATIONAL PEACE & SECURITY

Question 3

when was the league & UN formed

Answer 3

league: 1920
UN: 1945

Question 4

what were the 3 intentions of League

Answer 4

1. To provide a forum for nations to air differences rather than resort to war
2. Promote disarmament
3. Provide collective security (other League members could assist victims of aggression)

Question 5

what were the intentions of the UN (as outlined in the Charter)

Answer 5

Safeguard world peace
Protect fundamental human rights
Preserve international law
Promote social and economic progress for all to reduce causes of conflict
Consultation to resolve international disputes and collective security to deal with conflict
UN security council -create effective way for the UN to deploy peacekeeping forces and confront aggression

Question 6

why was the authority of the league weakened? (3 reasons)

Answer 6

1. Its authority was weakened by the refusal of the US to join
2. Lack of authority demonstrated by nations which denied the League any say in issues which it was believed were crucial to their national interest
3. Unable to stand up to major powers that were determined to pursue their own national interests (eg Japan)

Question 7

what were some successes of the league

Answer 7

Successes in non-political areas → eg, efforts to curb drug trade, white slavery & health
1926: got the US to agree to adhere to the decision of the International Court of Justice
Established the finances of Austria in 1922
Solved several international disputes (Sweden-Finland 1921, Albania-Yugoslavia 1921, Greece-Bulgaria 1925)
Oversaw the administration of mandates

Question 8

what were some failures of the league

Answer 8

Ineffectual in stopping aggression by Italy, Japan, and Germany in the 1930s (Japan’s invasion of Manchuria 1931, Italy’s invasion of Abyssinia 1935).
Failed in preventing further war (WWll)
Never had own armed forces to enforce decisions
Never reflected true balance of international power (US never joined, S.U, Japan & G were members for a short time)

Question 9

why was the UN a stronger authority

Answer 9

1. Strong support of US President Franklin Roosevelt (US as a foundation member)
2. Included all major powers as members
3. Forum for all nations to be represented

Question 10

what were some problems w the UN

Answer 10

Problem → commitment to ensure major powers were members
Acknowledgement of the likelihood that major powers would not remain members if UN took action against their interests
World powers given the power to veto, oppose Security council decisions
Council could only take effective action if there is unanimous agreement among the P5
In the early decades UN authority undermined by the Cold War
After the Cold War, UN struggled to deal with conflicts withinnatios and a resurgence of nationalist tensions