League Of Nations

Question 1

What was the League Assembly and what were their issues

Answer 1

• met once per year
• admit new (permanent) members

Issues:

1. Slow by meeting once a year
2. Too indecisive of unanimous vote requirement

Question 2

What was the League council and their issues

Answer 2

• met 3 times a year
• 5 permanent members (UK, France, Italy, Japan and Germany)
• permanent members could veto any permanent action by Council

Issues:

1. USA refusal to join weakened it
2. Designed to be dominated by powerful permanent members- undermined its credibility as an organisation for the benefit of all working nations

Question 3

List four major problems within the League

Answer 3

1. No armed force of its own; when they wanted to use military force they relied on UK/France, they relied on co-operation and could appear as powerless
2. Economic sanctions were difficult to enforce- most countries did not want to end a trade
3. Linked with unpopular Treaty of Versailles- undermined its credibility from the start
4. Absence of major key powers

Question 4

Describe the humanitarian work in 1920s

Answer 4

1. International Labour Organisation;
   improve working conditions, 8hr maximum working day, no full time work under the age of 15
2. World health organisations:
   Combat dangerous diseases through education programs
3. Refugee Commission:
   Re-settled 400,000 displaced prisoners and people after WWI
4. Drugs Commission:
   Combat international trade in illegal substances, tightened up custom control

Question 5

Describe Upper Silesia 1920

Answer 5

• Germany vs. Poland
• plebiscite held
• territorial split 2/3 to Germany 1/3 to Poland
• both accepted this

Success

Question 6

Describe the Aaland Islands 1920-21

Answer 6

• Finland vs. Sweden
• countries threatened to go to war
• Sweden accepted that the islands belonged to Finland

Success

Question 7

Describe Austria 1922

Answer 7

• League sent experts to rescue Austrian economy
• restructured Austria finances and currency and averted an Austrian economic crash

Success

Question 8

What were the aims and what were their weaknesses

Answer 8

Aims:

1. Tried to prevent a war
2. Eliminate factors that could cause a war

Issues:
Too ambitious