League Of Nations Flashcards
Why was the League of nations made
After the first world war everyone wanted to avoid repeating the mass slaughter of the war that had just ended
What is the league of nations
An organisation that could solve international problems without resorting to war
Disagreements about the League organisation:
President Wilson
Wilson wanted the League of nations to be like a world parliment where representatives from all nations could meet together regularly to decide on matters that affected them
Disagreements about the League organisation:
British
Many British leaders though the best League would be a simple organisation that would just get together in emergencies. An organisation like this already existed, it was called the Conference of Ambassadors
Disagreements about the League organisation:
French
France proposed a strong league with its own army
Disagreements about the League organisation:
Who won?
President Wilson won. He insisted that discussions about a League should be a major part of the peace treaties and in 1919 he took presonal charge for drawing up plans for the league. By february he had the plan
Wilsons plan for the League
-All the major nations would join the league, they would disarm, if they had a dispute with another country they would take it to the League
-They promised to protect one another if invaded
-If any member broke the Covenant and go to war, other members would stop trading and sending troops to stop warif necessary
-Wilson hoped that the citizens of the other countries would all be so much against war that they would prevent leaders from entering war
Critics about wilsons plan about league
-Some were angered by Wilson’s arrogant style. He acted as if only he knew the solution to Europe’s problems
-Other were worried about his idealism
-And they asked themselves if under the threat of war, would the punlic really behave and do what the League said?
What probelms did Wilson have?
Before the USA could even join the League, he needed the approval of his congress. And in USA the idea of the League was not popular at all
Why were the Americans not a fan of the League
-Some Americans, particulary the ones who had German ancestors, hated the treaty
-Some feared that joining meant sending US soldiers to settle every little conflict. No one wanted more casualtities after the war
-If the league imposed sanctions, it might be american trade and business suffer the most
-Some feared the League would be dominated by France or Britain - and would be called to help their empires. Many in the US were anti-empires
What were the problems of people oppsoing to wilson
Together the critics of wilsons plan put up a poerful opposition to the league. They were joined by Wilson’s many other political opponents. Wilson’s democratic party had run the USA for 8 years. Its opponent saw the league as the perfect opportunity to defeat him. Wilson toured the USA to give his arguments. When the congress voted in 1919 he was defeated. In 1920 the American chair was empty
How did wilson try to convince the people and congress to vote him
He toured all around the USA giving speeches, tubput his arguments to people
Wilson defeated
In 1920 Wilson became seriously ill after a stroke. But he still continues to press for the USA to join the League. He took thr proposal back to congress again in March 1920, but they defated it by 49 votes to 35
Wilson’s defeat:
Democrats
They were convinced that if America didn’t join international affairs, therw would be another world war. In the 1920 election wilson could not run for president but his successor made membership of the league a major part of the democrat campaign
Wilson’s defeat:
Republicans
The Rublican candidate, Warren Harding, campaigned to be Isolationist. His slogan was to return to ‘normalcay’ which he meant life as it was before the war, the USA isolating from European affairs. Harding and the Republicans won.
Wislons defeat:
The league
The USA never joined the League. This was bad for Wilson and the democrats. But also a body blow to the League
What was the Covenant
The covenant set out the aims of the league of nations. It was 26 articles or rules, which all memebers of the League agreed to follow
The 5 aims of the league of nations
- discourage agression from any nation
- encourage countries to co-operate, especially in businnes and trade
- encourage nations to disarm
- improve living and working conditions of people in all parts of the world
- collective security
Article 10 of the covanent = collective security
By acting together collectively, the members of the League would prevent war by defending the lands and interest of all nations, large or small.
Membership of the league
In absence of USA, Japan, Ital, Britain and France were permanent members, but France and Britain usually guided the the policy. However both countries were poorly placed for this role. Neither of them had the resources to fill the gap of the USA. They felt the americans were the only nation who could make the League work. They also felt the trade sanction would only worked if the applied them
Britain and France had differnet priorities for the League:
Britain
British politicians, were more interested in rebuilding British trade and looking after the British empire than in being an international police force
Britain and France had differnet priorities for the League:
France
France’s main concern was still Germany. It was worried that without and army of its own the League was too weak to protect France from it’s powerful neighbour. It did not think Britain would send an army to help it. This made france prepared to bypass the League if necessary in order to strengthen its position against Germany.
Memebership of the League of nations:
France
1919-1945
Memebership of the League of nations:
Britain
1919-1945
Memebership of the League of nations:
Italy
1919-1937
Memebership of the League of nations:
Japan
1919-1933
Memebership of the League of nations:
Germany
1926-1933
Memebership of the League of nations:
USSR
1926-1933
Memebership of the League of nations:
USA
Never joined
The organisation of the League:
The council
- smaller group than the Assembly. They met five times a year and in cass of emergency.
- permanent members: in 1920 these were Britain, France, Italy and Japan
- each of the members of the Council had a veto
- aim: resolves dispute by talking. If it didn’t work the council would use a range of powers:
- moral condemnation
- economic and financial sanctions
- military force
What is a veto?
This meant that one permanent member could stop the council acting even if all other members agreed
Moral condemnation:
They could decide which country was the ‘agressor’ and tell it to stop what it was doing.
Economic and financial sanctions:
Members of the League could refuse to trade with the agressor
Military force:
The armed forces of member of countries could be used against an agressor
The organisation of the League:
The secretariat
- a civil service serving all tge other bodies within the league
- keeps record the League meetings and prepared reoprts
- brang experst together from across the world on key issues such as health , disarnement amd economic and matters
The organisation of the League:
The Assembly (6)
- the League’s parliment
- every country in the league had a representative in the Assembly
- they could recommend action to the council
- could vote on admitting someone to the League
- met once a year
- decisions made by the league had to be unanimous - they had to be agreed by all members of the league
The organisation of the League:
The permanent court of international justice
- based at the Hague in the Netherlands
- made up of judges from the member countries
- key role in the League’s work by settling disputes between countries peacfully
- if asked, the court would give a decision on border dispute between countries
- it has no way of making sure that countries followed its rulings
The organisation of the League:
The international labour organisation (ILO)
- brought together employers, governments and workers’ representatives
- aim: to improve conditions of workin people throghout the world
- collected statistics and information about working conditions and how to improve them
- it tried to persuade member countries to adpot its suggestions
The league of nations comissions:
The mandates commissiones
- made up of team of experts advisers whose job was to report to the league on how people in the mandates were being treated.
- aim: make sure Britain and France acted in the interests of the people of that territory, not its own interests.
The league of nations comissions:
The refugees commitee
-aim: get all refugeees back to their homes and countries. They had feld from conflict
The league of nations comissions:
The salvery comission
- worked to abolish slavery around the world
- help workers who were technically not slaves but treated as so
The league of nations comissions:
The health committee
- attempted to deal with the problem of dangerous diseases
- educated people about health and sanitation
- brought experts together and worked with charities and other independent agencies to collectstatistics about health issues
- spread new ideas and develop programmes to fight disease
Dispute over upper silesia:
What happened and year
1921
- the TofV allowed people of Upper silesia to vote on whether they wanted to be a part of Poland or Germany. Over 700,000 voted Geemany and 500,000 voted Poland. There was rioting and violence after this close result.
Dispute over upper silesia:
End result
The league was asked to settle the matter. It sent experts to the area to decide what to do next. After a six-week inquiry, the league decided to splot Upper silesia between poland and Germany. The decision was accepted by both countries
The dispute over Aaland islands:
What happened and year
1921
- these islands belonged to finland but most of the islanders wanted to be ruled by sweeden. Finlamd amd sweeden argued about it and when they failed to reach an agreement, asked the league which of them should own the islands.
The dispute over Aaland islands:
End result
The league council decided that Finland should have them as long as no weapons were kept there. Both sides accepted the decision which is still in force roday
The dispute over Aaland islands:
Success or failure?
Success - both countries accepted proposal which is still working today
Dispute over Upper Silesia:
Success of failure
Success- the decision was accepted by both countries
The dispute over Vilna:
Who was involved
Poland and Lithuania
The dispute over Upper silesia:
Who was involved
Poland and Germany
The dispute over Aaland islands:
Who was involved
Sweeden and Finland
The dispute over Vilna:
What happened and year
1920
Vilna was the capital city of Lithuania. It was later sawllowed up by Russia and ceased to exist as a nation. 1919, Lithuania became independent, and the people wanted Vilna as their capital. But only 2% of inhabitants were Lithuanian, while 30% were Polish. The poles therefore wanted Vilna
The dispute over Vilna:
End result
In 1920 a Polish General seixed it. Lithuania asked the league for help but it could not vanish the Poles to leave. Vilna stayed in Polish hands for the next 20 years
The dispute over Vilna:
Success or failure
Failure - Vilna stayed in polish hands for the next 20 years
The dispute over Corfu:
Who was involved
Greece, Italy and Albania
The Geneva Protocol:
Who was involved
Britain and france and other members
The Geneva Protocol:
Year and what happened
1924
Corfu incident demonstrated how the League of Nations could be undermined by its own members. Britain and france drew up this protocol, which said that if two members were in dispute they would have to ask the League to sort out the disagreements and they would strenthen the League.
The Geneva Protocol:
End result
Before the plan could be put into effect there was a general election in Britain. The new conservative governemnt refused to sign the protocol, worreid Britain would be forced to accept something that was not in its own interests.
The Geneva Protocol:
Success or failure
Failure - the protocol instead of strenthen the League it weakened it
War between Bulagria and Greece:
What happened and year
1925
A quarrel started between Greek and Bulgarian soldiers while they were patrolling the border between their two countries. Shooting began and one of the Greek soldiers fell dead. The greek army invaded Bulgaria for revenge.
War between Bulagria and Greece:
End result
Bulgaria asked the League for help. The league ordered both armies to stop fighting, and Greece pull back its army. It them sent experts to the area to find out who was at fault. They decided Greece was at fault and imposed them a fine of £45,000. Both countries accpeted.
War between Bulagria and Greece:
Success or failure
Success- decision was accepted by both countries and fighting stopped
The dispute over corfu:
year
1924
How did the League of nations work for a better world?:
Refugees
-400,000 prisoners were returned to their homes
-refugee crisis in 1922 -> stamped out diseases like Cholera, smallpox and dysentery in the camps
-they were short of funds
-woek became more difficult in 1930s as international situation became tenser -> authority of League declined
How did the League of nations work for a better world?:
Working conditions
-banned poisonous white lead
-limited hours smalled chikdren were allowed fo work
-campaigned to improve working conditions
-introduced a resolution of max 48-hours a week and 8 hours a day, the majority of the members refused because it would cost their industries too much
-lack of funds and power
How did the League of nations work for a better world?:
Health
-collected statistical information
-spread good practice
-sponsored research for diseases at institutions in Singapore, London and Denmark
-institutes helped develop vaccines and medidicines for deadly diseases
-very succesful League committee
-continued after 1945 in te form of World Health Organisation
How did the League of nations work for a better world?:
Transport
-recommendation to mark shipping lanes and produced international highway code road users
How did the League of nations work for a better world?:
Social problems
-kept careful records of what was going on
-provided infromation on problems such as drug-trafficking, prostitution and salvery
-it blacklisted 4 large German, Dutch, french and Swiss companies involved in ilegal drug trade
How did the League of nations work for a better world?:
Slavery and forced labour
-helped free 200,000 slaves in British-owned Sierra leone.
-organiased raid against slave owners and traders in Burma
-challenged the use of forced labour in Africa. Africa’s death rate was at 50%, the League managed to get it down 4%
The dispute over Corfu:
What happened
-Greece and Albania were in disagreement about their border. The conference of ambassadors sent an Italian General.
-Telhini and his team were ambushed and killed. Musolini blamed the Greek Governemnt for the murder.
-On the 31st of August Musolini bombarded and occupied the Greek island of Corfu. Killing people
The dispute over Corfu:
End result
-the league decided to conden Musolini and suggested that Greece pay compensation, bit it wouldn’t be held until Tehinis killers were found
-Mussoloni didn’t like this, France sided with Mussolini and the conference ordered the Greek to apologise and pay compensation to Italy
The dispute over Corfu:
Success or failure?
Failure
How did international agreements help the work of the League of nations?:
Washington conference
In 1921
-USA, Britain, France and Japan agreed to limit the size of their navies
-end result: reduced navies
-success -> reduced tension and likelihood pf conflict at sea
How did international agreements help the work of the League of nations?:
Rapallo Treaty
1922
-the USSR and Germany reestablished diplomatic relations
-end result: reduced tension between USSR and Germany
Success -> Europe more stable, likelihood of trade
How did international agreements help the work of the League of nations?:
The Daws plan
1924
-to stop an exonomic crisis in Germany, the USA lent them $ to help pay reparations. Also helped Britain and France economically
-end result: Germany, Britain and France become to recover from WWI
Success -> Increase in trade & reduction of tension in Europe. Increse in jobs/profit in Europe
How did international agreements help the work of the League of nations?:
Locarno treaties
1925
-Germany accpeted its western borders set out by the TofV
-end result: Paved the way fro Germany to join the league of nations
Success -> France was very happy about the idea. Germany joined the League of Nations
How did international agreements help the work of the League of nations?:
Kellog-Briand Pact
1928
-65 nations agreed not to use force to settle disputes
-end result: did little to prevent WWI or any of the conflict that followed
Failure: did not prevent war or help conflict
How did international agreements help the work of the League of nations?:
Young plan
1929
-reduced Germany’s reparations payments
-end results: Germany begins to recover from WWI
Success -> Increase in trade and reduction tension in Europe
Strengths and successes of the League of nations
Reduced slavery, improved working conditions
Health committee + refugees
Encouraged international trade
Provided protection (collective security)
Disarnmement
Weaknesses and unsuccesful parts of league
USA didn’t join -> Briatin and France placed poorly in positition
Some commitees short of funds
63 countries to prevent war didn’t work
Couldn’t always bring peace
Lack of international cooperation
Weaknesses of the League
USA didn’t join -> it feared trade sanctions
Domination of Great Britain and France -> self-interest, didn’t agree, didn’t have the power
League lacks of army -> can’t intervene + enforce decisions, they rely on other countries armies
Germany not involved
Comissions have lack of funds and powers
Strenths of the League
Involvement of Great Britain and France: european powers -> large and powerful. Military power and large economy
World parliment -> good for diplomacy, trade sanctions, moral condemnation and military power powerful. There were international agreements
Many members -> collective security
