The League of Nations Flashcards
Why was the LON created?
To stop war from breaking out, encourage disarmament, improve working conditions, and tackle deadly diseases.
Who created the idea of the LON?
Woodrow Wilson (President of the USA) 14th point.
Where was the LON based?
Geneva, Switzerland – A peaceful country.
Who were the 4 permanent members of the council?
Britain, France, Italy, and Japan.
Was the USA in the LON?
No, the senate voted against it. They wanted to isolate themselves from Europe after WW1.
What was the Locarno Treaty?
Signed in 1926 - it allowed Germany to join the LON.
Was Russia in the LON?
No, other countries were suspicious of the new communist government in Russia.
What was the structure of the league like?
The assembly met once a year with equal votes; the council met more frequently with 4 permanent members; the permanent court of International Justice settled arguments with advisory power; and the Secretariat.
What were the strengths of the League of Nations?
It was included in peace treaties, had vast membership, and economic sanctions were daunting punishments.
What were the weaknesses of the League of Nations?
Many important countries did not join, it had no army, the structure was complicated, and decisions had to be unanimous.
What powers did the league have?
Mitigation, moral condemnation, and economic sanctions.
What happened in Vilna 1920?
A Polish Army took control of Vilna despite the LON’s request for Poland to leave; LON did nothing.
What happened in the Aland Islands 1921?
Finland and Sweden disagreed over who controlled the Aaland Islands.
The countries asked the League to investigate. It ruled that the islands should go to Finland, but no military personnel or arms could be located there.
Avoiding war.
What is a plebiscite?
A vote in which a whole country takes part.
When was the Great Depression?
October 1929.
What were the Locarno Treaties 1925?
Agreement signed in 1925 which allowed Germany to join the LON.
What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact, 1928?
65 countries met in Paris and signed an agreement stating they would not use war to solve disputes.
What is collective security?
The cooperation of several countries in an alliance to strengthen security.
How did the Great Depression affect the LON?
Countries were unwilling to impose economic sanctions during the crisis, fearing unemployment.
What was the Manchurian crisis?
Japan invades Manchuria in China
Most of Manchuria is now under Japanese control
China turns to LON for help
Lord Lytton arrives in Manchuria to start report
The Lytton Report is complete after 1 whole year – the report stated that
Japan were to blame
In Feb 1933 Japan is ordered to leave Manchuria
Japan then leaves the LON and invades Jehol
By July 1937 Japan has started a full scale invasion of China
What was the Abyssinian crisis?
Mussolini invaded Abyssinia; LON’s intervention was ineffective, weakening the organization.France began to make secret agreements with Italy (Hoare-Laval Pact)
Mussolini’s troops entered Abyssinia on Oct 1935 and bombed villages
Haile Selassie, the Abyssinian Emperor asked the LON for help but the LON did
nothing
This event weakened the LON as it showed that the LON had very little power when
difficult situations arose
