League Of Nations 1930s

Question 1

Weaknesses of GB and Fr as leaders

Answer 1

Divided views
After Wall Street Crash, no resources
Self-interest
No army

Question 2

MANCHURIAN CRISIS 1931-33: causes

Answer 2

Japan’s growing aggressive imperialism in 1920s boomed after crash
Mukden Crisis 1931: Japanese army controlling railway alleged they were attacked by Chinese troops (excuse)

Question 3

MANCHURIAN CRISIS 1931-33: what happened?

Answer 3

1. Japan, leading member of LoN, occupied Manchuria
2. China appeals to LoN: feeble response
3. Sept 1932: Lytton sent to address situation: report takes over a year: asked withdrawal of Jap
4. Japan ignored and invaded Jehol, China in 1933

Question 4

LoN’s Failure in Manchuria: REASONS

Answer 4

Japans military strength
Weakness of China (was in a bitter civil war)
Non-membership of USA/USSR: only ones with resources to stop
Apathy of Fr+GB: it was very far away

Question 5

LoN’s Failure in Manchuria: EFFECTS

Answer 5

Showed hypocrisy, self-interest and failure of LoN
No consequences
Encouraged future aggression: Japan and Germany leave LoN in 1933
DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE

Question 6

DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE 1932-34

Answer 6

• limited artillery size, banned chemical warfare and civilian bombing,
• suggestion to treat Ger well-> not supported
• no actual limits set, no ways to enforce/check
• no ban on production (contradiction)

Question 7

German Disarmament

Answer 7

Feb 1933: Hitler becomes Ger Chancellor: starts to secretly rearm
Hitler asks everyone to disarm, they refuse: excuse Hitler needs to leave and secretly rearm
Germany leaves Conference 1933

Question 8

FAILURE OF DISARMAMENT

Answer 8

inability of members to agree, hypocritical decisions (ie ban use but not production of chemicals)
Major powers refuse to disarm (protection GB/FR, Jap and It imperialism)
Divisions between leaders, self interest
Hitler rearming

Question 9

ABYSSINIAN CRISIS 1935: reasons

Answer 9

Mussolini wanted to restore glory: imperialism.
Surrounded by Italian territory, lots of resources
December 1934: Wal-Wal Oasis: dispute between soldiers, Mussolini claimed it was Italian (sams as mukden)

Question 10

ABYSSINIAN CRISIS 1935: league response

Answer 10

Outrage of British public, but Germany was bigger enemy
Stresa Front 1935: GB, Fr, It joined, agreed to join forces against Hitler (in exchange for Abyssinia - not discussed)
LoN tried to ban trade with Italy after invasion but not effective, Suez Canal remains open (allies NEED Italy)

Question 11

ABYSSINIAN CRISIS 1935: what happened?

Answer 11

Quick invasion
No action taken: HOARE-LAVAL PACT 1935: give Mussolini 2/3 Abyss in exchange for support as Hitler had re-militarised Rhineland

Question 12

EFFECTS OF ABYSSINIA

Answer 12

LoN failure + irrelevant, betrayed by leading members (H-L pact)
Weakened position against Hitler, pushed Mussolini and Hitler closer together
Rome-Berlin Axis Pact 1936
Aggressive powers gain confidence

Question 13

OVERALL:

Answer 13

LoN powerless and irrelevant by 1935
GB and Fr in a weak position, growing aggressiveness of imperialism

Question 14

USSR in LoN

Answer 14

Joins 1934
Kicked out December 1939 for aggression against Finland