League of Nations success and failures Flashcards
When was the crisis in Vilna (1st)?
1920
What was the crisis in Vilna?
New countries were formed post-WW1, e.g Lithuania. Vilna was to be the capital, but inhabitants wanted to stay Polish. So a polish army took control of Vilna, and Lithuania asked for help from the League
Was Vilna a success?
No. The League did nothing, as France did not want to lose Poland as an ally, and the British wouldn’t send troops without supporting countries.
Where was Upper Silesia?
On the border of Germany and Poland
Who was living in Upper Silesia?
Both Poles and Germans.
Why was there a plebiscite called in Upper Silesia in 1921?
So the Germans and the Poles could decide who owned Upper Silesia.
What was the outcome of the plebiscite in Upper Silesia?
Germany won 60% of votes. But, the League was called as Poles thought the outcome was unfair. So Upper Silesia was split.
Were the Germans and Poles satisfied with Upper Silesia being split.
No, both were dissatisfied.
Why were the Germans dissatisfied with their share of Upper Silesia?
Germany lost 75% of their coal mines. But the League ratified this by allowing them to import coal at a discounted rate in 1922.
Why were the Poles dissatisfied with their share of Upper Silesia?
They had half of the population but a third of the land.
How did the League ensure that the partition of Upper Silesia ran smoothly?
They ensured that rail links, water and electricity were supplied to both sides.
How did the partition of Upper Silesia lead to future German-Polish conflict?
When the agreement ended in 1925, relations worsened.
Which countries claimed the Aaland islands?
Sweden and Finland.
Which country was granted the Aaland islands, and under what terms?
Finland in 1921, but they were not allowed to build forts on them to attack Sweden.
Was the League successful when dealing with the Aaland islands?
Yes, they successfully stopped war between Finland and Sweden.
What year was the Corfu incident?
1923
Who was given the job of surveying Greek and Albanian borders (Corfu), and what happened to him?
An Italian general named Tellini, who was murdered with his team.
What was Mussolini’s reaction to Tellini being killed?
He was furious and demanded execution of the murderers, and for the Greek government to pay compensation. Italian troops then invaded Corfu.
How many people did Mussolini kill in his occupation of Corfu
15
What did the League do when Greece appealed?
They condemned Italy, but still agreed at that Greece should pay compensation
What group did Mussolini complain to after the League condemned him?
The Conference of Ambassadors - powerful countries (britian, france and japan)
What did the Conference of Ambassadors do with Greece?
They forced Greece to apologise and pay compensation to Italy
So, was Corfu a success for the League?
No. They proved that they could be undermined and ignored by a more powerful group
What year was the Bulgaria incident?
1925
Why did Greek troops invade Bulgaria?
Greek soldiers were killed on the Bulgarian border
What did the League do when Bulgaria appealed?
They condemned Greece and ordered them to withdraw troops and pay compensation
Was the League successful when dealing with Bulgaria?
Yes, Greece obeyed as they felt threatened by the powerful countries in the League.
Which year was the Kellog-Briand pact?
1928
What was the Kellog-Briand pact?
65 countries met in Paris and agreed that they would not use war to settle disputes
Which were the first countries involved in the Kellog-Briand pact?
Germany, France and the USA. because germany and the us werent in the league
Was the League involved in the Kellog-Briand pact?
No, undermining them as an international PEACE cooperation
Which year was the Mukden Incident?
1931
Which resources is Manchuria rich in?
Coal and iron ore
Was China a strong country in the 1930’s?
No, the country was split into many regions and ruled by local warlords who ignored the government.
Why did Japan decide to invade Manchuria?
They were struggling after the Wall Street Crash as their main traders were U.S. people for luxuries (silk).
Why did Japan choose Manchuria to invade?
Manchuria is (geographically) close to Japan and the Japanese army was getting stronger after the Washington Naval Agreement.
Which Japanese army took control of Manchuria after the railway attack?
The Kwantung Army
Was the Japanese government happy with the Kwantung army’s takeover?
No, but they had to go along with the invasion
In 1932, what was Manchuria renamed as?
Manchuko
Who was put in charge of Manchuko and why?
Pu Yi, an ex emperor, because Japan could control his decisions
What are two reasons the League was reluctant to react to Manchuria?
Japan was a powerful member of the League, and China’s politics were disorganised, so some felt the Japanese were trying to bring order to the country
What did the League do in response to Manchuria?
They morally condemned Japan and sent out a Commission of Inquiry, led by Lord Lytton
When was the Lytton report published?
October 1932
What did the Lytton report say?
Japan was in the wrong
How did Japan respond to the moral condemnation?
They refused to withdraw their troops from Manchuria
How did Japan respond to the Lytton report?
They left the league and invaded Jehol
How did Manchuria contribute to the end of the League?
-One of its own members acted against the covenant
-The League acted slowly and their actions were futile
-Dictators began brewing ideas of how to get around the League
When did Mussolini invade Abyssinia?
1934 December
Why did Mussolini think invading Abyssinia would be easy?
He owned colonies bordering Abyssinia
Why did Mussolini think Abyssinia would be good for the Italian economy?
Abyssinia was rich in natural resources and had good land for grazing animals
Why was national pride a reason Mussolini wanted to invade Abyssinia?
He had failed to invade before, so wanted revenge on Abyssinia to restore national pride?
Why was Mussolini convinced Britain and France would not stop him from colonising Abyssinia?
They signed the Stresa Front (unite against Hitler), so Mussolini was under the impression the French would do anything to keep Italy as an ally against Hitler.
Where did Abyssinian and Italian soldier first clash?
Wal Wal
How many people were killed in this first clash
150 Abyssinians, 2 Italians
Did the League try to intervene at this clash between Italy and Abyssinia?
Yes, but they found it difficult to stop Mussolini
Who was the French foreign minister in 1935?
Pierre Laval
What did Pierre Laval and Mussolini agree in Jan 1935?
-France promised Italy not to interfere with Somaliland and Eritrea
-Italy was given land in Chad
-Laval let Mussolini deal with Abyssinia as he saw fit
What did Haile Selassie say to the League in June 1935
HE warned them of the effects their lack of action would have on Abyssinia
Did the League do anything in reaction to Selassies appeal?
No, so Mussolini invaded the capital Addis Ababa in 1936
What could Britain and France have done to prevent the Abyssinia crisis regarding the Suez Canal?
They could have closed it to prevent Italy moving troops and supplies to Abyssinia
Why did they fail to close the Suez Canal?
They were worried about upsetting Mussolini in fears he would team up with Hitler, so they tried to keep Italy on their side.
What was the Hoare Laval 1935 pact?
The two foreign ministers secretly agreed to give Italy areas in Abyssinia.
What were the terms of the Hoare Laval pact?
Abyssinia would be shrunk to half of its size, and they would only keep mountainous areas
What did the Hoare Laval pact prove?
Members of the League were willing to undermine the League for their own self interest
