To What Extent Was The League Of Nations A Success? Flashcards
1
Q
Type of Organisation
A
- Wilson = World Parliament
- Britain = Simple organisation to convene at times of emergency
- France = Strong league with army
2
Q
Organisation of League
A
- Major nations were to join
- All would disarm
- Disputes settled by League
- Nations would accept League’s decisions
- Protect one another if invaded
- Countries who broke rules would face sanctions and military force
3
Q
League Unpopular in USA
A
- League supposed to enforce Treaty of Versailles (Many Americans of German origin so thought too harsh)
- USA forced to impose sanctions so American trade and business would suffer
- Americans had no desire to be world’s policemen (having to send soldiers to resolve small disputes)
- Some feared America would end up having to help Britain and France defend empires
4
Q
Refuse to Join League
A
- Despite Wilson’s tireless campaigning, Congress rejected in 1919 and 1920
- Wilson forced to retire from ill health
- 1920 Republican Warren Harding elected President
- Promised ‘return to normalcy’ (isolationism)
5
Q
Aims of League
A
- Member agreed to discourage aggression, encourage co-operation, encourage disarmament, improve living and working conditions
- Article 10 (idea of collective security)
6
Q
Problems with Leadership
A
- Britain and France believed USA required to make League work
- Britain more concerned with empire than League
- France more concerned with strengthening defences and crippling Germany than League
7
Q
Problems with Structure of the League
A
- Assembly (League’s parliament) = only met once per year and decisions were unanimous
- Council = responsible for dealing with crisis and disputes (permanent members (GB, France, Italy, Japan) had a veto)
8
Q
Vilna
A
-1920
-Poland took control of Vilna
Lithuania appealed but Britain and France refused to act
9
Q
Upper Silesia
A
- 1921
- Germany and Poland disputed
- League oversaw plebiscite and region divided
10
Q
Aaland Islands
A
-1921
-Finland and Sweden disputed
-League sided with Finland
Sweden accepted decision
11
Q
Corfu
A
- 1923
- Following dispute with Greece, Mussolini bombarded and occupied Corfu
- Greece appealed
- Mussolini no accept League’s ruling
- Britain and France divided over solution
- Greece forced to pay compensation to Italy before Mussolini agreed ro leave Corfu
12
Q
Geneva Protocol
A
- 1924
- Countries must submit to Council’s decisions
- Britain refused to sign
13
Q
Bulgaria
A
- 1925
- Greece invaded Bulgaria
- Greece appealed
- League demanded Greeks pull out and threatened sanctions
- Greece backed down
14
Q
Refugees and POWs
A
- Nansen Passport made easier for WW1 refugees to travel across borders
- 400,000 POWs returned to homelands
- League acted quickly to set up refugee camps of decent standard
15
Q
Working Conditions
A
- Campaigned for improved working conditions(child workers)
- ‘Named and shamed’ countries/businesses that mistreated
- challenged use of forced labour to build Tanganyika railway in Africa
16
Q
Transport
A
- Produced global highway code for car owners
- Organises global system of shipping lanes
17
Q
Health
A
- Sponsored vital research into infectious diseases (malaria)
- Global campaign to exterminate mosquitoes
- League’s Health Committee (shared good practice globally)
18
Q
Crime
A
- Blacklisted large companies involved in illegal drugs trade
- Organised raids against slave traders and owners in Burma
- Freed 200,000 slaves in British-owned Sierra Leone
19
Q
Disarmament (League)
A
- Failed in 1920s
- World’s leading powers not prepared to disarm
20
Q
Washington Conference
A
- 1921
- USA, Japan, Britain, France
- Limit navy size