League of Nations Flashcards
Aims of LoN
World Peace. Article 10 - if member attacked other countries help stop aggression - public opinion, moral condemnation, trade sanctions, use of force. Disarm. Improve living and working conditions, encourage businesses to cooperate in trade
Weaknesses of LoN
Defeated countries not invited, victorious powers disagree with each other, Wilson couldn’t convince congress to join
Why did congress not agree to join?
Wilson fell ill, Wilson continued to press for us to join, put forward again in 1920, lost 49 votes to 39, wilson couldn’t run again, republicans won with isolation as main aim, didn’t want to send soldiers, didn’t want to help defend empires - anti-empire
Structure of the league
originally 42 members, by 1930s 59, most powerful - britain, france, italy, japan. USSR prevented from joining, britain and france not work well together, british politicians believed without america league wasnt powerful
How did the Council in the league work?
Smaller than assembly, met more often (five times a year), Permanent members were britian, france, italy and japan, temporary were elected by assembly for three year periods
What was the role of the council?
Resolve conflicts without violence by using - Moral condemnation, sanctions, military force
How did the Assembly work?
The leagues parliament and each member sent a representative. It could recommend action to the council and vote on new members. Met once a year and all decisions had to be unanimous
What was the Secretariat?
Sort of Civil Servant serving all bodies of league, kept records of meetings and prepared reports, brung experts for key issues like health, disarmaments and economic matters
What was the Court of International Justice?
Based in The Hague made up of judges from member countries and helped settle disputes between countries peacefully
Successes of the LoN
Silesia 1921 - held a plebiscite which stopped war between germany and poland, Aaland Islands 1925 - investigation showed it belonged to finland, Bulgaria invasion 1925 - League told Greece to withdraw and it did, took 400,00 pows home, set up refugee camps after turkey and greece war 1922, closed down four swiss companies for selling drugs
Why did the League fail with the poles taking Vilna?
league told them not to but they didn’t listen so the league did nothing
Why did the League fail with Smyrna 1922?
Turks drove greeks out of smyrna and league just agreed
Why did the League fail with Ruhr 1923?
France invaded Ruhr without consulting LoN
Why did the League fail with Washington Treaty and locarno pact?
was a sign nations think league cant stop wars
Why did the League fail with the ILO?
failed to persuade members to adopt 48-hour work week
