The League Of Nations Flashcards
Beginnings of League
First meeting in Geneva 1920, Americans not present, Jennifer Hart campaigned for it in Britain, its first priority was disarming and self-determination too, Russia not allowed,
Where did American opposition against Wilson over the LoN come from?
- Americans with German ancestry who believed they were being treated unfairly
- Businessmen worried about sanctions on countries which could mean they could lose trade
- Those who feared entanglement in foreign wars particularly after loss in WW1
- Anti-imperialists who didn’t want to protect British and French colonies
Aims of the league
- to discourage aggression from any nation
- to encourage counties to cooperate, especially in terms of business and trade
- to encourage nations to disarm
- to improve living and working conditions of people in all parts of the world
Permanent members and when certain members joined League
B&F most powerful countries, Japan and Italy also permanent, Germany joined in 1926, USSR joined in 1934, consisted of members from over 50 other countries
Did America join?
No, groups against him allied with republicans to defeat him in congress 1919, he tried again in 1920 but was defeated in senate 49 against 35
Why was America not joining a problem?
Britain and France were severely weakened by WW1 in terms of finances and man power and they both had their own priorities as Britain more focused on empire and trade where as France cared more about containing G
At start how many countries joined? By 1930s?
42 countries initially joined it had 59 member by the 1930s
Describe the organisation of the league
The league was made up of:
•the permanent court of international justice, the council, the assembly, the secretariat and the international labour organisation
Vilna
Poland took control of Lithuanian capital Vilna in 1920, Lithuania appealed to League and protested but poles didn’t leave, f&b weren’t prepared to act
Upper Silesia
In 1921 broke out between G and Poland over Upper Silesia, league oversaw peaceful vote and divided region, both countries accepted decision.
Aaland Islands 1921
Finland and Sweden were threatening war over who had possession of Aaland Island, the League ruled that the island should belong to Finland and Sweden accepted
Corfu,
In 1923 Italian general Tellini went to set out boundaries between Greece and Albania but while surveying Greek side tellini and his team were ambushed and killed, Mussolini furious and blamed Greek gov he wanted compensation and the killers executed but they were unknown. Mussolini then bombarded Corfu and 15 were killed. League condemned Mussolini and suggested if money paid by Greece that it be held be League and be paid if and when tellinis killers were found. Mussolini insisted the matter be sorted by the council of ambassadors rather than League council. Brit and France disagreed as b backed Greece and f backed Italy, but probs Bcos its forces were tied up in the Ruhr however Britain didn’t want to act on its own
Bulgaria 1925 incident
In October 1925 Greek troops invaded Bulgaria after an incident on the border where Greek soldiers were killed. League demanded both sides stand their forces down and withdraw. League sent observers and judged that Bulgaria were in the right. Greece had to pay £45,000 in compensation. They obeyed but complained that there was one rule for large states and another rule for small states
Locarno 1925
Germany accepted its western borders set out in T of V which was greeted with enthusiasm in France this paved way for for G to join LoN.
Describe Kellogg-Brian’s pact of 1928
65 nations agreed not to use force to settle disputes. However it was somewhat of an empty gesture
