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History IGCSE > League Of Nations > Flashcards

League Of Nations Flashcards

1
Q

What did the USA want for the League to be?

A
  • International parliament

- Regular meetings with representatives of all countries

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2
Q

What did the France want for the League to be?

A
  • Strong organisation

- Its own army

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3
Q

What did Britain want for the League to be?

A
  • Simple organisation
  • Get together in emergencies
  • Like the existing ‘Conference of Ambassadors’
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4
Q

Why did the USA not join the League?

A
  • Congress didn’t approve it because:
  • It enforced the Treaty of Versailles, and many (especially with German heritage) hated it.
  • Many feared that US soldiers would have to be sent to settle every dispute. There had already been too many casualties.
  • If sanctions were impossed, USA would probably suffer the most.
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5
Q

What was the divide in America in 1920?

A
  • Wilson fell ill after a stroke, but continued to campaign for the USA to join the League. It was once more rejected.
  • The democrat successor made joining the League a big part of the campaign.
  • However, the Republicans, who advocated for ‘isolationism’ and ‘normalcy’ wanted to separate themselves from European affairs. They won the elections.
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6
Q

What were the 4 main aims of the League?

A

The covenant had 4 main aims:

  • To discourage aggression from any country
  • To encourage countries to co-operate and trade
  • To encourage countries to disarm
  • To improve working and living conditions of people from all over the world
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7
Q

What was Article 10?

A

It was what was called ‘Colective Security’:

- All countries could act together to punish any nation that threatened or committed an act of aggression.

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8
Q

Who was meant to lead the League?

A
  • Britain: but they were more focused on their own affairs, economy and empire, rather that international issues.
  • France: Its concern was still Germany and it was worried that without an army, France was vulnerable. It made France prepared to bypass the League to streanghten its position against Germany (it doubted that Britain would send troops to help France).
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9
Q

Why did the League not have an army?

A

Most nations agreed that having an army would go against its principal of disarmament.

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10
Q

What countries weren’t part of the League of Nations and what were the effects?

A
  • The USA because of isolationism: meant the League didn’t have snough resources or power to impose the covenant.
  • Germany and the USSR because of their role in the war and Soviet Communism: meant they would become resentful.
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11
Q

What was ‘The Council’ and what role did the have in the League?

A
  • It was a small group of men that met 5 times/year.
  • There was:
    • the permanent council (victor countries e.g. France, Britain, Japan)
    • the temporary council ( e.g. Belgium )
  • All memebers had the right to a veto.
  • It solved problems with:
    • moral condemnation
    • economic sanctions
    • military power
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12
Q

What was ‘The Assembly’ and what role did the have in the League?

A
  • It was the League’s parliament
  • It decided who could join the League, and the budget
  • All countries had a seat in the assembly
  • Decisions had to be unanimous
  • Only met once/year
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13
Q

What was ‘The Secretariat’ and what role did the have in the League?

A
  • It was the administration and information gatherers

- They had experts to deal with problems and report on certain situations (e.g. translators)

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14
Q

What was ‘The Permanent Court of Justice’ and what role did the have in the League?

A
  • Its job was to settle disputes to di with borders, conflicts,…
  • It was made up of judges from member countries
  • It was based at Hague, Netherlands
  • However, The Court had no way of ensuring that their ruling was to be followed
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15
Q

What was ‘The International Labour Organisation’ (ILO) and what role did the have in the League?

A
  • It brought together employers, government and workers’ representatives to improve the conditions of working people.
  • It collected stats and information about these conditions and tried to persuade member countries to adopt their suggestions for improvement.
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16
Q

What was ‘The Mandates Commission’ and what role did the have in the League?

A
  • It was a team of expert advisers who reported to the League on how people in the mandates were being treated.
  • Its aim was to ensure Britain and France were acting in the interests of the mandates and not themselves.
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17
Q

What was ‘The Refugee Committee’ and what role did the have in the League?

A
  • It provided help to refugees that fled areas of conflict in any way they could.
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18
Q

What was ‘The Slavery Commission’ and what role did the have in the League?

A
  • It worked to abolish slavery around the world

- Tried to help workers that weren’t slaves but were treated as such

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19
Q

What was ‘The Health Committee’ and what role did the have in the League?

A
  • It attempted to deal with dangerous diseases and educate people on health and sanitation.
  • It brought experts together and worked with charities and independant agencies to collect statistics about health issues amd work to develop programmes to fight diseases.
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20
Q

What were the main weaknesses of the League? (6)

A
  • Many non-European countries were unhappy that the covenant gave more power to European countries (e.g. Britain, France, Italy).
  • Non-Europeans feared the League would be dominated by white people and reject the interests of other races (e.g. Japan asked the League to fight against racial discrimination but Britain rejected the idea).
  • The Coventant was patronising towards the colonies and considered them unable to govern themselves.
  • The USA’s absence weakened the League’s authority and resources.
  • Germany and USSR’s absence created resentment in their countries.
  • Britain and France had different views on how the League should be run (France wanted a more military organisation, but Britain didn’t agree) which created tension and lack of cooperation.
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21
Q

What were the achievements of the League with Refugees?

A
  • 400,000 war prisoners were returned to their homes through League agencies.
  • During the refugee crisis in 1922, the League worked quickly to minimise cholera, small pox amd dysentery in the refugee camps.
  • Temporary pasports (Nansen passports) were given to regugees from Russia that needed safe passage home.
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22
Q

Where there any issues with the League’s work with refugees?

A
  • In the 1930’s the Refugee Commission’s work became harder due to a lack of funds.
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23
Q

What were the achievements of the League with Working Conditions?

A
  • The ILO succeeded in banning poisonous lead from white paint and limited the hours small children were allowed to work for.
  • It campaigned strongly for employers to improve working conditions and introduced a resolution of 48 hour week limit and 8 hour days.
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24
Q

Where there any issues withe the League’s work with Working conditions?

A
  • The majority of the members refused to adopt the 48 hour week resolution, and the ILO constantly lacked funding. The only thing it could do was ‘name and shame’ but it couldn’t forcibly impose any conditions.
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25
Q

What were the achievements of the League with Transport?

A
  • It made recomendations on problems, such as:
    • creating shipping lanes
    • creating an international highway code for users
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26
Q

What were the achievements of the League with Health?

A
  • Collected statistics and invested in research and development programmes for diseases.
  • It sponsored research of infectuous diseases in institutes in Singapore, London and Denmark, which helped develop vaccines and medicine for deadly diseases such as malaria and leprocy.
  • Its work continued after 1945 with the World Health Organisation.
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27
Q

What were the achievements of the League with Social problems/ Slavery?

A
  • Kept records on situations and provided informantion on problems such as drug trafficking, prostitution and slavery.
  • It blacklisted 4 large companies (from Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and France) that were active in illegal drug trafficking.
  • It helped 200,000 slaves in British-owned Sierra Leone.
  • Organised raids againts slave owners and traders in Burma.
  • Challenged the use of forced labour used to build the Tanganyika railway in Africa, were deathrate amongst workers was 50%. Pressure form the League brought it down to 4%.
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28
Q

What was the ‘Teschen’ dispute in 1919, how was it solved, and what were the efffects?

A
  • Teschen was a small town in the border between Czechoslovakia and Poland that was wanted for its valuable coal mines. Soldiers from each country fought for a week in the streets of January 1919, and many were killed.
  • The Conference of Ambassadors settled the dispute by giving Poland the town, and Czechoslovakia the coal-rich suburbs.
  • The Poles never accepted this decission and both countries continued to quarrell about it for the next 20 years.
29
Q

What was the ‘Vilna’ dispute in 1920, how was it solved, and what were the efffects?

A
  • Vilna had been in the past the capital city of Lithuania, but the country was later invaded by Russia and wasn’t independant.
    In 1919 it regained its independance and people wanted Vilna as the capital once more. However, only 2% of the population in Vilna was Lithuanian, whilst 30% were Polish, meaning the Polish wanted the city as well.
  • Therefore, in 1920 a Polish genral siezed Vilna by force, and the Lithuanians asked the League for help.
  • The League wasn’t able to persuade the Poles from leaving and Vilna stayed under Polish control for the next 20 years.
  • Poland wasn’t punished in any way for its aggressive actions.
30
Q

What was the ‘Greek and Turkish War’ dispute in 1920-22, how was it solved, and what were the efffects?

A
  • In the Treaty of Sèvres for Turkey, Greece was promised Turkish land, and so they occupied the town of Smyrna. The Turkish leader Mufasa Kemal attempted to regain it, which caused the start of the war. There were huge amounts of casualties and refugees.
  • The Greek and Allied forces agreed to abandon the Treaty of Sèvres and created the Treaty of Lausanne.
  • This made the League seem less authoritative, as it was meant to back the Paris Peace Treaties, but instead a new one was forced upon the Allies and League.
32
Q

What was the ‘Upper Silesia’ dispute in 1921, how was it solved, and what were the efffects?

A
  • The Treaty of Versailles allowed the people of Upper Silesia to have a plebiscite and decide if they wanted to be part of Germany or Poland.
  • 700,000 voted Germany and 500,000 voted Poland. There was rioting and violence after the close result.
  • The League sent over experts to decide what to do next. After 6 weeks, the League decided to split Upper Silesia into both countries.
  • This was accepted by everyone. It had successfully resolved a dispute.
33
Q

What was the ‘Aaland Islands’ dispute in 1921, how was it solved, and what were the efffects?

A
  • The islands belonged to Finland, but most of its population wanted to be ruled by Sweden.
  • The Council sent experts to assess the situation and finally it decided that Finland should keep them, but weapons were no longer able to be kept there.
  • Both sides accepted this decision and it is still enforced today. It was a success for the League as it was done peacefully, and it helped their aim of disarmament.
34
Q

What was the ‘Memel’ dispute in 1923, how was it solved, and what were the efffects?

A
  • The majority of the population in the Port of Memel were Lithuanian, so Lithuania wanted to govern it. However, the Treaty of Versailles put it under the League’s control, and for the next 3 years, a French genreal acted as the governor. In 1923, the Lithuaninas became impatient and invaded the Port.
  • The Conference of Ambassadors tried to settle the dispute, but Lituania wouldn’t accept. The League then gave Lithuania Memel, but the port was made an ‘international zone’. Lithuania agreed.
  • It was an example of national self-determination, though made the League look a little weak.
35
Q

What was the ‘Corfu’ dispute in 1923, how was it solved, and what were the efffects?

A
  • An Italian ambassador (Tellini) was appointed to supervise a boundary between Albania and Greece, however whilst doing so on the Greek side one night, Tellini and his team were murdered.
  • Mussolini then bombed the Greek island of Corfu and 15 people died.
  • Greece appealed to the League and fortunately the Council was already in session. Articles 12 and 15 were perfect for this occassion. On September 7th, 1923, The Council condemned Mussolini’s actions and suggested Greece pay compensation if/when the killers were found.
  • Mussolini refused to accept and demanded to the Conference of Ambassadors. He threatened to leave the League if it didn’t happen.
  • The British didn’t accept the case and were ready to send troops to Corfu, however the French backed the Italians (probably because of their troops in the Ruhr). The British weren’t ready to act alone.
  • The Conference made a final ruling, ordering Greece to apologise and pay compensation.
  • Partial failiure because troops left Corfu, but the ruling wasn’t fair and showed bigger powers could get away with being aggressive.
36
Q

What was the ‘Occupation of the Ruhr’ dispute in 1923, how was it solved, and what were the efffects?

A
  • After Germany refused to pay reparations, the French and Belgians invaded by force the Ruhr to take what was owed to them in raw materials. 100 German workers were killed and the occupation led to huge hyperinflation.
  • The League ignored the dispute because big countries were involved and it was legal to do so in the Treaty of Versailles.
  • This once again showed how the strong countries could get away with aggressive behaviour.
37
Q

What was the ‘Greek Bulgarian War’ dispute in 1925, how was it solved, and what were the efffects?

A
  • In October 1925, at the border between Greece and Bulgaria, a soldier was shot whilst trying to go after his dog. This lead to Greek troops invading Bulgaria.
  • Bulgaria appealed to the League and quickly a meeting for The Council was set up in Paris. Experts were sent and a ruling was decided. Both troops were to stand down, and Greece was to withdraw from Bulgaria and pay a compensation of £45,000. It was threatened with sanctions if it didn’t obey. Britain and France solidly backed the League’s decision.
  • Greece obeyed, but complained that there seemed to be a ruling for smaller countries and another for bigger ones.
  • It was a big success for the League, as it helped regain its authority. This was partly because Britain and France were unified.
38
Q

What was the ‘Washington Conference’ (1921)?

A
  • In this Conference, the USA, Britain, France and Japan all agreed to limit the size of their navies.
  • It was the first arms control conference in history, and the League of Nations hadn’t been the one to organise it. Its failure to achieve disarmament damged its reputations in countries like Germany.
39
Q

What was the ‘Rapallo Treaty’ (1922)?

A
  • A treaty that re-established diplomatic relations between Germany and the USSR.
  • It allowed Germany to get hold of weapons banned under the Treaty of Versailles, because it cooperated with Russia on military planning.
  • It showed the danger of excluding them from the League.
40
Q

What was the ‘Geneva Protocol’ (1924)?

A
  • It was an agreement in which said Britain and France agreed to appeal to the League if ever they had a dispute and accept the final ruling that was determined.
  • However, after elections in Britain, the Conservative government refused to the agreement, and it was denied by Parliament.
  • This showed that not even in Britain, who was one of the leading countries in the League, wanted to have to obey the organisation. It weakened the League’s reputation.
41
Q

What were the ‘Dawes Plan’ and the ‘Young Plan’ (1924-29)?

A
  • They were plans created to loan money to Germany to avoid another economic crisis, and economic chaos.
  • It would also get Britain and France’s economies going.
  • This was an example of international cooperation.
42
Q

What were the ‘Locarno Treaties’ (1925)?

A
  • Seven agreement in which Germany accepted its borders dictated under the Treaty of Versailles.
  • They were greeted with great enthusiasm, especially in France.
  • It paved the way for Germany to join the league of Nations.
  • However, the agreements didn’t apply to Germany is eastern borders.
43
Q

What was the ‘Kellogg-Briand Pact’ (1928)?

A
  • A promise made by 65 nations, that’s agreed not to use military force to settle disputes. These countries agreed to disarm and to only use their armies for self defence.
  • It was a huge success for the League’s aim of disarmament.
44
Q

What were the international effects of the Depression?

A
  • USA: The depression made the USA unwilling to help with economic sanctions, as it would affect its own economy. They went into isolation.
  • Britain: Unwilling to help iternational disputes, as its economy was going badly. Its top priority was itself.
  • Germany: It affected Germans very badly (unemployment, poverty, chaos). Political leaders seemed unable to resolve anything, resulting in Hitler coming to power, making international cooperation even harder.
  • Japan: Silk was no longer purchased by the USA, and so they had less money to buy raw materials for its large population. This pushed them to invade Manchuria in 1931.
  • Italy: Economic problems encouraged Mussolini to follow an aggressive foreign policy and want to build an overseas empire to distract people from issues in the government and economy.
45
Q

What agreements were made at the 1932 Disarmament Conference and what was the issue?

A
  • Prohibited the bombing of civilians
  • limited the size of artillery and tonnage of tanks
  • Prohibited chemical warfare
    • However, there was little on how this was all going to be achieved
46
Q

What was the ‘Anglo-German Naval Agreement’ (1935)?

A
  • An greement in which Britain allowed Germany to rearm its navy up to 35% of Britain’s navy.
  • Britain’s justification was that Hitler was going to rearm anyway, so it was better to limit its growth.
47
Q

Why did disarmament fail in the 1930s? (7)

A
  • Lack of specificity as to how the aims of the disarmament conference were going to be achieved.
  • Question of whether everyone was going to disarm to Germany’s level or Germany was going to rearm to everyone’s level.
  • Every country has their own idea of disarmament, and only wanted to do it on their terms.
  • Hitler’s rise to power made it even harder to reach any agreement, as he ended up taking Germany out of the League
  • Everyone seemed to get offended very easily, which made decisions hard and tense.
  • Britain went behind the League’s back and signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement with, allowing Germany to rearm up to 35% of Britain’s navy.
  • There was no clear authority and reaching decisions was very complicated.
48
Q

Why was Japan interested in Manchuria?

A
  • It was a large area with a big population (28 million) that was rich in materials and resources that Japan needed.
  • After the Depression, the Japanese economy suffered, meaning it couldn’t afford to buy raw materials. Manchuria was the perfect solution.
49
Q

How did the ‘Manchurian Crisis’ (1931-1932) begin?

A
  • In 1931, the ‘Mukden Incident’ occured. The Japanese planted a bomb in the South Manchurian Railway and blamed it on China as an excuse to invade the area and set up a government under Japanes control.
  • Japan’s civilian government protested, but the army was now in charge.
50
Q

What was China and the League’s reaction after the invasion of Manchuria?

A
  • China immediately asked for help and experts such as Lord Lytton and the Lytton Commission were sent to assess the situation.
  • The first order was for Japan to withdraw from Manchuria, however they argued that China was in a state of anarchy and they were keeping the peace.
  • Whilst the government agreed, the Kwantung army continued to invade more and said it was self-defence.
  • On February 24th, 1932, the report from the Commission saying that Japan should retreat from China was approved 42 votes to 1 (Japan) in The Assembly.
  • Japan resigned from the League and invaded Jehol a weak later.
51
Q

Why did the League not do anything about the ‘Manchurian Crisis’ (1931-32)?

A
  • Economic sanctions wouldn’t be effective without the USA.
  • Britain was more keen on maintaining a good relationship with Japan (its empire in Asia could be attacked by them) rather than doing the right thing.
  • The league feared if they banned arm sales to Japan they would retaliate and start a war.
  • Britain and France weren’t willing to risk their armies in a war, so there was no way of forcing Japan out of Manchuria.
52
Q

What are the international reactions to the ‘Manchurian Crisis’ (1931-32)?

A
  • USA: many were appalled but government followed policy of isolationism and refused to economic sanctions.
  • USSR: was worried, as they were closer to China, but wouldn’t act alone against Japan, and had its won problems.
  • Italy: didn’t oppose, as it had interest in building empire in Asia.
  • Germany: also didn’t oppose, Hitler wante to see if they could get away with it.
  • French: publicly condemned Japanese, but weren’t ready to start a war.
  • Britain: didn’t feel their navy could take the Japanese, didn’t want a war and had business they didn’t want to lose.
53
Q

What problems did Italy face after the war?

A
  • Over 1/2 a million soldiers had died in the war and Italians expected payments in the Peace Treaties. However they were disappointed when they didn’t get as much land as they were promised.
  • There were divisions between fascists and Communists.
  • The Italian government was weak and people didn’t respect it. Between 1919 - 1922, 5 government had been formed.
54
Q

How did Mussolini come to power?

A
  • He was a socialist journalist, but he left the Socialist Party because he supported the war and the socialists didn’t.
  • In 1919, he organised bands of angry ex-service men (the fascist) that beat up and attacked enemies.
  • Throughout his early political career, he kept changing his policies.
  • Once in power, he encouraged Italians to look at him as a leader with extraordinary powers.
  • He loved parades and uniforms, and took a lot of pride in the army.
55
Q

What were the key ideas of fascism?

A
  • A great country should be self-sufficient.
  • The place of women was at home. They should have as many children as possible.
  • Italians should take fierce pride in their country.
  • War is good for a country. Young Italian men should be ready to fight.
  • Italians should establish an empire in Africa.
  • Communism and socialism are the enemies of fascism.
  • Democracy is useless. Italy needs a strong powerful leader who can tell them what to do.
  • No other political parties are allowed.
56
Q

What were the similarities between the ‘Abyssinian Crisis’ and the ‘Manchurian Crisis’?

A
  • In both cases powerful countries took advantage of less powerful countries to expand their empires using military force.
  • Also, The League morally condemned them both, however this was no use.
  • In both cases, economic sanctions weren’t effective.
  • Again, Britain and France were more worried about maintaining diplomatic relations and avoiding war than doing the right thing.
57
Q

Why was Italy interested in Abyssinia?

A
  • In 1896, the Italians tried to invade Ethiopia, but were humiliatingly defeated at the ‘Battle of Adowa’. 6000 soldiers were killied and the reputation of the Italian government was destroyed.
  • So, in 1922, Mussolini made plans to invade Abyssinia, and whilst publicly signing the Treaty of Friendship in 1928, with the leader Hailee Selassie, army generals were getting ready.
58
Q

How did the ‘Abyssinian crisis’ (1935-41) start?

A
  • In December 1934, Italian and Ethiopian troops clashed at the Walwal Oasis. Mussolini accused Ethiopia of aggression and ordered Armed Forces to prepair for the invasion.
  • From January - October 1935, Mussolini whilst ‘negotiating’ with the League, shaped his vast army to Africa attack.
59
Q

Why did the ‘Stressa Front’ (1935) encourage the invasion of Abyssinia?

A
  • The Stressa Front between Britain and France and Italy condemned German rearmament. At the meeting for this Pact, they didn’t question Mussolini about Abyssinia, which made him think that they would turn a blind eye in return for joining the agreement.
60
Q

What was British reaction to the events in Abyssinia?

A
  • A ballot was taken in the League Union in Britain. It showed that the majority supported the use of military force to defend Abyssinia.
  • At an Assembly of the League, British foreign minister Hoare, made a grand speech about the value of collective security.
  • There was a lot of talk about negotiations, but nothing was achieved.
61
Q

What did the League find about the Wal-Wal incident?

A
  • On September 4th 1935, after 8 months, a committee reported that the incident at the Wal-Wal oasis was no one’s fault.
  • The league put forward a plan that would give Mussolini some of Abyssinia’s land, but he rejected it.
62
Q

How did Italy invade Abyssinia?

A
  • In October 1935, Mussolini launched a full-scale invasion that easily defeated the Abyssinians, as the Italians used guns, tanks, aeroplanes and poisonous gas.
63
Q

What was the reaction of the League to the invasion of Abyssinia?

A
  • The Covenant made it clear that sanctions must be introduced. However, these would only be effective if they were set up quickly and decisively.
  • The league banned: arm sales, loans, imports and exports to Italy of rubber, tin and metals.
  • However the banning of oil exports was delayed for two months, because the USA wouldn’t agree and European economies were already suffereing (30,000 coal miners in Britain were about to lose their jobs because of the ban of coal exports).
  • However the most important was the closing if the Suez Canal, as this would’ve ended the crisis. But, it wasn’t closed because Britain and France feared it would lead to a war with Italy.
64
Q

What was the ‘Hoare-Laval Pact’ (1935) and what were the consequences?

A
  • it was a plan created by the British and French foreign ministers in December 1935. It aims to give Mussolini 2/3 of Abyssinia in return for calling off the invasion. Laval even proposed to show Mussolini the plan before the league or the Abyssinian leader. Laval told the British that if they didn’t agree, they’d no longer support the sanctions.
  • Details of the Pact were leaked to the league, and both foreign ministers were fired. The sanctions discussions lost all momentum and the banning of oil sales was further delayed.
  • In February 1936, the committee concluded that if they stopped oil sales, Italy’s supply would last two months, however it was too late.
  • The Americans even stepped up their sales because they were appalled at Britain and France’s actions.
65
Q

What happened to Abyssinia?

A
  • Italy continued to disobey the League’s orders, and by May 1936, it had taken the capital city Addis Ababa.
  • On the 2nd of May, Haile Selassie was forced into exile, and on the 9th of May, Mussolini formally annexed the entire country.
66
Q

What was the effects of the ‘Abyssinian crisis’ (1935) on the league of Nations?

A
  • Collective security had proven to be an empty promise.
  • The league had failed massively and its reputation was damaged, together with Britain and France’s.
  • Most people lost faith in the league.
67
Q

What was the effect of the ‘Abyssinian crisis’ (1935) on Hitler and the future of Europe?

A
  • On the 7th of March 1936, Hitler marched his troops into the Rhineland, and act prohibited under the Treaty of Versailles.
  • This made the French desperate to gain Italy’s support, and made them nig support the sanctions, as there were Italian troops in the Rhineland.
  • The failure to contain the situation led Germany and Italy to sign the ‘Rome-Berlin Axis Agreement’ in 1936.
68
Q

What was the ‘Rome-Berlin Axis Agreement’ (1936)?

A
  • It was an agreement between Germany and Italy, to link and create friendly relations, like a ‘coalition’ between both countries.
69
Q

Why did the League fail in the 1930s? (12)

A
  • It had no army of its own
  • Aggressive governments challenged it
  • Slowness of decision-making
  • Sanctions didn’t work or weren’t implemented properly
  • Effects of the great depression
  • Absence of the USA
  • Absence of Germany and Russia for some time
  • Treaties the league was meant to uphold were unfair
  • Self interest of members
  • Britain and France weren’t suited to lead the league
  • The failure of disarmamen
  • The league was a European club

History IGCSE (5 decks)

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