League of Nations Result of Treaty of Versailles – end of WW1 Woodrow Wilson (President of USA) really pushed for the League of Nations (ironically the US never became a member of it). VERY IMPORTANT – Germany was NEVER invited to the meetings Germany was discussed – this upset them IF Britian had realised that USA would not have joined the League, they would not have joined either or not pressed so hard The result was that Britain and France became the key members of the League – eventually there were 50 members

Background goals to League WW1 had cost a lot of money – countries were now in debt Who would pay? GERMANY Ensure peace and safety (France worried) IMPORTANT – new borders Treaty of Versailles made Germany pay a staggering £6,600 million (figure agreed in 1921) – later changed in 1926 – given a longer repayment time

Aims of League of Nations Act as an International police force Major nations to disarm (get rid of weapons) Members would protect each other IF invaded Disputes/problems with other countries – inform League and they will make a decision on the issue – the countries MUST accept their decision IF a country does go to war – the League countries must stop trading with their opponent and send troops to stop the fighting (if necessary) Germany was forced to disarm and the other countries didn’t actually disarm – upset the Germans

Explain why this image illustrates the aims of the League of Nations.

Structure of the League of Nations

Issues Germany excluded from League of Nations until it was ‘a peace loving country’ Former colonies of Germany Togoland and Cameroon (Brit and France) German South West Africa (South Africa) German East Africa (Britain) America was against people having colonies – League had increased colonies of France and Britain – Germany very unhappy

Disarmament Germany Army limited to 100,000 men No longer allowed conscription No armoured vehicles – submarines or airplanes Only 6 battleships Rest of Europe Didn’t disarm (no one wanted to)

On the snake it says ‘International Strife (problems). Explain the meaning of this cartoon.

Not all bad news… Returned refugees and POW to their homelands. Improved working conditions AND limited hours young children could work Health – tried to stop leprosy, plague in Russia and tried to exterminate mosquitoes Introduced High Way Code and Shipping Lanes Tried to stop slave labour and companies involved in illegal drug trade 48 hour working week – 8 hour day (sadly not all members introduced this)

Border Disputes and Successes Vilna, 1920 Upper Silesia, 1921 Aaland Islands, 1921 Corfu, 1923 Geneva Protocol Bulgaria, 1925

Locarno Treaties October 1925 – France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Belgium Poland and Czechoslovakia met in Switzerland Agreed: Germany borders in Treaty of Versailles Britain and Italy promised to protect France if Germany violated these borders Germany accepted that the Rhineland would remain a demilitarised zone France and Germany would settle disputes through League of Nations France still felt threatened so Locarno treaty was made

Rhineland This could remain German but Germany could not have any soldiers within this area. Important as this was the land that joined France with Germany

Impact of Locarno France now feels safe Germany would be allowed into the League of Nations in 1926

Kellogg-Briand Pact, 1928 High point of 1920s international relations Agreed not to use force to settle disputes. But had to keep armies for ‘self-defence’. 65 nations signed.

Failures of the League The Great Depression Manchuria (1931-2) Failure of Disarmament Abyssinia (1935-6) Manchuria •   The Nationalist government of China led by Chiang Kai-shek was weak, corrupt and busy fighting the Communists. •   Because of the Great Depression, Japan wanted to build an empire to secure supplies of raw materials. •   The Japanese government was controlled by the army    China ruled Manchuria, but the Japanese army ran the railway there, and ruled in Korea. •   Sept 1931: There was some vandalism on the Manchurian railway; Japan claimed the Chinese had sabotaged the railway.   •   They invaded Manchuria and set up the 'independent' (i.e. Japanese-controlled) state of Manchukuo under the former Emperor of China, Henry P'ui.   •   China appealed to the League. Dec 1931: the League appointed a commission led by Lord Lytton to investigate.   •   He did not go to Manchuria until April 1932 and did not report until October. •   Oct 1932: Lytton's report stated that Japan was the aggressor and should leave. •   24 Feb 1933: The Assembly voted that Japan should leave Manchuria •  Japan walked out of the meeting. •   Japan stayed in Manchuria.   •   The League could not agree economic sanctions or an arms sales ban. •   In 1933 Japan resigned from the League, and invaded/ conquered Jehol (next to Manchuria). A SPECTACULAR failure: 1. The Japanese continued to expand: •     they kept Manchuria • they invaded Jehol in 1933 and China in 1937. 2.  The League was discredited/ Manchuria showed: •     It was slow (the Lytton Report took almost a year); •     A country could get its own way if it ignored it •     ‘Collective security' was useless against big countries - especially during the Great Depression. •     Even the great powers within the League (Japan was on the Council) were happy to ignore it. ABYSSINIA The border between Abyssinia and Italian Somaliland was uncertain and disputed - in Dec 1934 there was a small skirmish at Wal-Wal. •   Mussolini demanded an apology and threatened to invade.   There was great anger in Britain; Hoare (the foreign minister) made a strong speech supporting sanctions and collective security. Feb 1935: The League set up a commission, which reported in Sept.  It suggested giving part of Abyssinia to Italy.    •   Oct 1935: Mussolini rejected the plan and invaded Abyssinia.   He used tanks and flame- throwers and attacked Red Cross hospitals. •   The League banned weapons sales, and put sanctions on rubber and metal (this hurt Abyssinia more than Italy).   •   It did NOT close the Suez Canal or ban oil sales, which would have stopped the Italian invasion. Dec 1935: Hoare-Laval Pact, a secret plan by Britain and France to give Abyssinia to Italy.   •   Britain and France asked that sanctions be lifted - only Abyssinia voted against. •   March 1936: Hitler marched into the Rhineland; everyone forgot about Abyssinia. •   May 1936: Mussolini conquered Abyssinia. •   June 1936: Haile Selassie went to the League to ask it to reconsider its 'terrible precedent' of giving way to force.   He was ignored. The Fascists continued to expand: •     Mussolini kept Abyssinia • Hitler began to expand in Europe. • Fascists took power in Spain • Britain and France abandoned the League as a way of keeping the peace - started to appease Hitler.

The Failure of the League The League was ‘a useless fraud’ (AJP Taylor) It was slow (report on Abyssinia took 8 months). A country could get its own way if it ignored it. ‘Collective security' was useless against big countries - especially during the Great Depression. Even the great powers within the League were happy to ignore the League. Even Britain and France would betray the League. Nine countries left 1936-1939.

Questions Do you think Germany had any right to feel angry about the League of Nations and Locarno? Give reasons for your opinion. Do you think a demilitarised Rhineland protected France from Germany? Give reasons for your opinion. Why do you think Europe refused to disarm? Very angry – not included in discussions – pay too much money – doesn’t feel war is all its fault – land taken – only country to disarm 2. It would slow Germany down getting to France but if Germany wanted to attack France they still could – had 6 battleships Scared to – didn’t want to go first and be vulnerable – arms trade created jobs – when had agreement it was in 1933 and Germany was becoming a worry.