Survey: – the collapse of collective security – Abyssinia, the Spanish Civil War

Question 1

What was the league of nations

Answer 1

The league of nations was - An international organisation which aimed to settle disputes between countries and prevent war. Member countries were to be protected by the concept of collective security.

Question 2

Reasons for the league of nations failures

Answer 2

1. Failed to act adequately during the various political crisis of the period, beginning with Japanese aggression in Manchuria
2. Large impact of failed disarmament process in the interwar period due to
   Imperfect instrument for achieving disarmament - domestic forces were hostile to the process
3. Wasn’t universal
4. Confrontation between Great Britain and France
5. 1936 Disarmament conference was convened to late, under hostile conditions
6. Confrontation between Germany and France Discernment conference
   Overly ambitious aims and the practical problems involved in the reduction of armament
7. Frederick Northedge has argued that it was it’s position as a defender of the infamous versailles settlement
8. The states tended to pursue their own interests, which were not the same for each state nor were the means willing to achieve their aims

Question 3

Negatives of the league of nations

Answer 3

1. To provide adequate security guarantees for its members (like an alliance) e.g. Japans invasion in Manchuria, thus encouraging more aggressive policies especially by authoritarian states and leading to an arms race
2. Failure to achieve disarmament goals set out in 1920s and 1930s, such as imposition of military spending constraints giving germany an excuse to rearm as France + Britain never disarmed
3. There was no way of enforcing sanctions
4. Absence of the united states, failure to resolve the inherent conflict between Britain, Germany, and France
5. Uncertain economic development e.g. great depression
6. Did not function as a pure and public alliance
7. Noble idea was hatched to soon - many major grievances left unresolved

Question 4

The invasion of Abyssinia

Answer 4

Mussolini launched a full scale attack on the east African nation of Abyssinia in October of 1935.

Abyssinia appealed to the League of Nations several times throughout 1935 before Italy invaded in October.

In October of 1935, the League decided that Italy had broken the Covenant by invading Abyssinia.

The league of nations issued moral condemnation and place economic sanctions on Italy, however didn’t sanction iron, coal, oil, or steel, essentially resources for war

Britain and France could have both taken action against Italy since they both had colonies in neighbouring areas to Abyssinia.

The lack of an army and the USA not being a member damaged the leagues authority

Britain and France secretly negotiating the hoare-laval pact with Italy wich gave Italy two thirds of Abyssinia in exchange Italy wouldn’t conduct a full scale invasion

This was leaked to the press french and british people loose faith in their government and undermine the league of nations even further

France argued they should give Abyssinia to Italy as Germany is a large threat and need to maintain alliance

Italy completed the invasion by 1936, and left the league in 1937
The league had failed to deal with the crisis and it’s reputation was destroyed

Question 5

Spanish civil war

Answer 5

1936: outbreak of conflict in Spain
○ Nationalist military (led by Fransisco Franco) vs. Spanish gov.
○ Hitler/Mussolini intervene:
wanted Franco as new ally as Spain occupied strategic position in Europe
concept of international fascism; both successfully defied League
cementing international relationships:
○ October 1936: Rome-Berlin Axis Pact (Italy/Germany)
Mussolini: alliance of “mutual convenience and similar goals”
○ November 1936: Anti-Comintern Pact (Japan/Germany)
targeted Russia
○ Stalin supported Republican gov. → Italian-Russian relations deteriorated
○ 1937: Anti-Comintern Pact expanded; renamed Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Pact (Italy/Germany/Japan)
Hitler: “fascist response to the threat of communism and democratic institutions worldwide”
Japan/Italy/Germany to be the Axis Powers of WWII
○ other nations respond to fascist threat by forming new alliances/military agreements
○ Franco’s victory represented fascist victory
failure of League: unable to directly intervene, appeal for peace unsuccessful
Hitler/Mussolini: access to Spanish seaports, airport, military bases