Peacmaking 1918-1919 And The League Of Nations Flashcards
Causes of the manchurian crisis, 1931-33:
Japan, a rising power in Asia, had developed quickly into a modern trading nation.
Wall Street crash had major impact on Japanese economy
Protectionist policies in the USA and other countries led to a loss in trade
Paris Peace Conference:
Paris Peace conference followed by Paris Peace conference where a peace treaty would be discussed.
Aims of Woodrow Wilson:
Ideas influenced by the fourteen points.
Did not want to impose a harsh treaty as this would lead to Germany wanting revenge
Two aims: self determination, international co-operation
The big three:
George Clemenceau of France
Woodrow Wilson of the USA
David Lloyd George of Great Britain
Aims of George Clemenceau:
Under pressure from French people to make Germany suffered as France had lost 1 million people.
Wanted to prevent future threats of German invasion
Wanted harsh treaty that would punish Germany
Aims of David Lloyd George:
British people wanted a harsh peace treaty and he had promised that he would make Germany pay
He feared a harsh treaty as might lead to a German desire for war
Wanted Britain and Germany to begin trading again
The fourteen points:
President Wilson of the USA ideas included:
- Reduction in arms
- self determination
- independence for Belgium
- France to reign Alsace-Lorraine
- Poland to become independent state
- a League of Nations set up to settle disputes between countries by peaceful means
Strengths of the Treaty of Versailles:
Brought peace to Europe and set up international organisation
Lenient towards the Germans which remained one country with a population of 60 million compared to the 40 million of France
Germany imposed much harsher treaty on Russia, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, March 1918. Russia lost nearly one-third of its land area.
Weaknesses of the Treaty of Versailles:
Left Germany with a number of grievances
Germans can not afford to make the reparations payments
German reactions to the treaty:
Feelings of injustice
Reparations
Loss of territory
War guilt cause
What happened to the German armed forces as a result of the Treaty of Versailles:
Army limited to 100,000
Conscription banned. Soldiers had to be volunteers
Germany not allowed armoured vehicles, submarines or military aircraft
Navy could only have 6 battleships and thirty smaller ships
Rhineland had to be demilitarised zone
Who did Germany have to pay reparations to as a result of the treaty of Versailles:
Germany had to pay compensation to France, Britain and Belgium for damaged caused by war
How much were the reparations decided by the Allies for the treaty of Versailles:
6,600 million pounds was set up by a reparations commission in 1921
What does Anschluss mean:
The joining together of Austria and Germany which was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles
Why was the League of Nations set up:
As an international ‘police force’.
Why were Germany not invited to join the League:
It had to prove it was a peace loving country
At the Treaty of Versailles loss of territories was agreed this meant that:
German lands and territories would be rearranged
Who did Alsace Lorraine go to:
France
What did the Rhineland become:
A demilitarised zone
Who got North Schleswig:
Denmark after a vote
Who received the Saar Land:
Saar land run by League of Nations and then a plebiscite to be held after 15 years
Who received West Prussia and Posen:
Poland
Who received Upper Silesia:
Poland
Who received Danzig:
Became a free city run by League of Nations.
Why was Danzig a free city run by the League:
To give Poland a sea port
What did the Covenant of the League do:
Laid out the aims of the League
What was in the Covenant of the League:
Prevent aggression by any nation
Encourage co-operation between nations
Work towards international disarmament
Improve the living and working conditions of all people
What was the League of Nations built upon:
The idea of collective security.
What does the Leagues idea of collective security mean:
That the members of the League could prevent war by acting together to protect and defend the interests of all nations.
When was the League of Nations set up:
In 1920
When the league was created how many members were there:
42 original member countries
How many members of the League were they by 1930:
Membership had increased to nearly 60
Who were not members of the League of Nations:
The USA, who refused to join
The defeated nations - including Germany who at first were not allowed to join
Russia, who was not allowed to join because of its Communist government
What was the first major challenge to the League of Nations:
The Manchurian Crisis, 1931-33
What happened in 1931 in relation to the Manchurian Crisis:
Japanese used the excuse of an attack by Chinese troops on a Japanese railway to invade the Chinese territory of Manchuria.
Why did Japan invade Manchuria:
Wanted to expand
Why was Manchuria a good place to invade:
Rich in natural resources and raw materials.
Provided a market for Japanese goods.
Was the Japanese’s invasion of Manchuria in 1931 a success:
It was a success and Manchuria was renamed Manchukuo
Why was China unable to defend Manchuria:
China was In the middle of a civil war
Who did the Chinese appeal to:
Chinese appealed to the League of Nations for support against the Japanese
What did the League do as a response to China’s appeal:
Sent a commission, the Lytton Commission, to investigate the crisis
What was the Lytton Commission like:
Commission was very slow and took over a year to investigate, by which time the invasion and occupation had been completed.
What did the League do after the findings of the Lytton Commission:
Condemned the actions of the Japanese, and asked the Japanese to withdraw from the province.
What did the Japanese do as a result of the Leagues findings:
Japanese left the League and remained in control of Manchuria
What were the results of the Manchurian Crisis on the League:
Britain and France not willing to support the League in taking action against the Japanese
League had failed to prevent aggression. This encouraged later aggression by Italy and Germany
When was the Abyssinian Crisis:
1935
Who invaded Abyssinia:
Italian troops invaded the African country of Abyssinia
Why did Mussolini want to invade Abyssinia:
He wanted to increase Italy’s prestige as a world power by increasing its territories in Africa.
The Italians wanted revenge for a humiliating defeat by the Abyssinians at the Battle of Adowa, 1896
Why was Abyssinia unique:
Abyssinia was one of the few countries in Africa not under European control
Who appealed to the League for assistance after Abyssinia was invaded:
Emperor of Abyssinia, Haile Selassie.
How did the League react to Haile Selassie’s appeal for assistance:
Condemned Italian aggression and imposed economic sanctions against Italy.
What did the Leagues sanctions against Italy fail to include:
Oil - meaning Italy continued to trade with non-League members such as the USA.
Why did the League put limited sanctions on Italy in Abyssinia:
France and Britain did not want to offend Mussolini and drive him closer to Hitler and Germany
What did Britain and France do to keep Mussolini onside:
British Foreign secretary worked out a plan with France, known as the Hoare-Laval Pact.
What did the Hoare-Laval Pact offer:
Offered most of Abyssinia to Mussolini
Why did the Hoare-Laval Pact have to be withdrawn:
When it was leaked to the public
What were the effects of the Abyssinian crisis on the league:
Resulted in the end of the League as a peace keeping organisation as it could no longer be taken seriously.
What did the Abyssinian crisis show about the League:
That League members were not willing to use force to stop aggression
What did the Hoare-Laval Pact show:
The secret deal showed that Britain and France were undermining the League
Reasons for the collapse of the League:
Lacked key members
Seen as an exclusive club
League had no army
Little money or attention available for world problems that seemed distant
What does veto mean:
The right to block a decision made by others
