It was the idea of President Wilson - the aim to solve international problems peacefully. All major countries were to join and disarm. It was set up in Geneva (Switzerland) Disputes were to be taken to the League & the principle: collective security
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What were the aims of the League?
1. to stop war 2. improve the life and jobs of people around the world 3. disarmament 4. enforce and uphold the Treaty of Versailles
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What were the strengths and weaknesses of the League?
STRENGTHS - set up TofV (every nation signed), 58 members by 1930 WEAKNESSES - absent powers e.g Germany/Russia/USA, too ambitious, no army, bureaucratic, unanimous votes
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Explain how the Wall Street Crash in 1929 increased tension?
America had been one of Japan's major trading partners and Japan was very poor (in 1931) with a big population. The army ruled Japan and some generals believed that they needed an empire in China to solve their problems
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Why did Japan want to invade Manchuria (China)?
Japan argued that it had a right to move into Manchuria since other countries like GB had big empires. Japanese generals believed they needed an empire in China to solve their problems. a) they had invested a lot in Manchuria (e.g railways, banks)
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Why did Japan want to invade Manchuria (China)?
b) China was threatened by Chinese communists (who did take over under Mao in 1949)
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Describe what happened during the crises?
In 1931 the Japanese army invaded Manchuria. China complained to the League. The League set up a commission of enquiry under Lytton but it took a YEAR to be published.
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What problems happened?
Lytton called for a Japanese withdrawal but the Japanese refused and left the League. (NOTE: this support the "moral" weakness of the League)
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What did the League do?
almost nothing
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Why?
a) Manchuria was too far away b) the USA was not a League member and was in isolationism anyway) c) GB and France were not willing to act because of these reasons
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What was the outcome?
the League was weakened but not yet dead & Hitler and Mussolini were encouraged to be more aggressive as it sent the message that Britain and France would not get involved in enforcing the League's decisions
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The Abyssinian Crises: give brief background on this
Mussolini (Italian leader) was admired as a strong leader against both communism and Hitler. Italy was looking to extend its empire, get out of financial difficulties and Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia in East Africa) seemed an obvious target
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What were Mussolini's motives?
1. revenge for Italian defeat by Abyssinia 2. glory from a successful war 3. the leader of Abyssinia (Selassie) refused to bow to Italian rule 4. resources and wealth brought to Italy
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What did Mussolini do then?
he stood firm against Hitler over his first attempt at union with Austria. The League offered him part of Abyssinia but he refused, then while supposedly negotiating with the League in 1935, he attacked Abyssinia!
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What did the League do?
1. imposed sanctions (but were too limited to have real effect) and there were long delays which made the League look scared
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How was Abyssinia different to anchuria?
unlike Manchuria, Abyssinia was on the League's doorstep, Italy was also a European power
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What was the Wal-Wal incident?
December 1934 dispute between Italian + Ethiopian soldiers at the Wal-Wal oasis (80km inside Abyssinia) Mussolini claimed it was Italian territory, demanded an apology and used it as an excuse to invade.
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What was the Hoare-Laval plan? What does it suggest?
a secret deal between GB and France to give Abyssinia to Italy. This suggests that the League was becoming more useless and irrelevant because countries were ignoring it
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How was Abyssinia a reason for the League's ultimate failure?
The League was now terminally discredited and small states lost faith in the League. Hitler was also encouraged to pursue a more aggressive foreign policy.
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Write down why the League was a failure
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What were the aims of the League?
Back
1. to stop war 2. improve the life and jobs of people around the world 3. disarmament 4. enforce and uphold the Treaty of Versailles
Card 3
Front
What were the strengths and weaknesses of the League?
Back
Card 4
Front
Explain how the Wall Street Crash in 1929 increased tension?
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