The League of Nations

• AIMS

• STRENGTHS

• WEAKNESSES

• FLASHPOINT

• FAILURE

Encourage co-operation

Peace in the World

Disarmament Improve social conditions

AIMS

*Remember: the devastation of WW1 had horrified countries throughout the world. The League of Nations was seen as the only way to maintain the PEACE.

• Many countries supported it in early days as there was a real

desire for co-operation amongst nations

• Had some early successes:

Settled some land disputes in 1920’s

• helped refugees, dealt with spread of disease, fought for

better conditions for people (This brought early confidence)

STRENGTHS

We represent each one of the strengths of

the League of Nations!

The American Congress (Parliament) refused to allow President Wilson to join the

League of Nations. It wanted isolation from the problems

of Europe.

WEAKNESS: ABSENCE of powerful countries (USA and the USSR did not join the League of Nations. Without the USA –

the most powerful country in the world – the League did not manage to look strong enough to influence countries.)

Russia was not allowed to join because it was a

Communist country. This would later leave out

another powerful country.

WEAKNESS: A STRUCTURE for disaster The League of Nations had a structure where every single country had to

agree in order to get something done. This meant SLOW progress.

A picture of the leaders who represented the countries of the League

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Remember: we all have to agree before we take any

action!

“We should ban them from

trading with us!”

“I think that’s too harsh!”

“Lets deal with the problem

straight away!”

“Lets wait and give it more time!”

“We should do it this

way.”

“No we shouldn’t.

Lets do it my way!”

Such arguments meant that it took long periods of time to get

anything done.

• USA did not Join (Even though it had been President Wilson’s

idea. WW1 made the USA weary of getting involved in Europe’s affairs and

instead isolate itself from them.)

• The League did not have an ARMY!

Instead, they relied on putting economic sanctions on a country eg: stop trading

• Countries had memories of WW1

WEAKNESSES

I represent the League’s weaknesses. It had no

real strengths and relied upon goodwill!

FLASHPOINT 1931: Japan invades Manchuria

In February 1932 Japan took control of Manchuria,

an area of China. They took its natural resources such as coal and iron. The League told Japan to leave but they simply ignored the threat of trading sanctions as they mainly traded with

the USA (who were not members)

This highlighted the problems that

the League faced. They were powerless to stop

Japan

FLASHPOINT 1935: Italy Invades Abyssinia 1935

In October 1935 Italy invaded Abyssinia using the modern weapons of tanks, planes and poisonous gas. Abyssinia appealed to the League as it was clear that this was an attack by the strong against the weak. The League set up trading sanctions against Italy. Countries were banned from selling military arms and other gods to Italy. Oil was not banned as the USA was the main provider. The Suez Canal, which was controlled by Britain and was the route for the majority of Italy’s trade, was kept open as Britain and France was afraid of a full scale war with Italy.

Hmmmm….very interesting! Britain and France were too afraid of war and did nothing to defend Abyssinia. What they did do was

to give large areas of Abyssinia to Italy in order to persuade them to withdraw. I wonder if I could get

away with such a move???

• USA did not Join (Even though it had been President Wilson’s

idea. WW1 made the USA weary of getting involved in Europe’s affairs and

instead isolate itself from them.)

• The League did not have an ARMY!

Instead, they relied on putting economic sanctions on a country eg: stop trading

• Countries had memories of WW1

I represent the League’s weaknesses. It had no

real strengths and relied upon goodwill!

The league failed because…