THE LEAGUE of NATIONS

Why was it set up? Wilson’s liberal vision Replace “balance of power” politics with “Collective Security” Basic Principles re: aggression Outlaw it Deter it by forming a coalition of non-aggressive states Punish it collectively

The League of Nations also tried to influence: Aid Labour Issues Mandates Collective Security Human Rights Minorities Health Issues The League of Nations also tried to influence:

How was the League organised ? The Assembly Met once a year One nation, one vote Decisions had to be unanimous Council Met regularly to deal with incidents 4 permanent members (Britain, France, Japan, Italy) 4-11 non permanent members Secretariat Did the paperwork of the League Prepared reports Civil Service Court of International Justice Based in The Hague Settled disputes in international law 15 judges Commissions Mandates Refugees Slavery Health International Labour Organisation

Strengths of the League of Nations Dealing with social issues such as the improvement of living and working conditions worldwide (through ILO) Dealing with health issues – targeted the treatment of specific diseases (e.g. leprosy) Set up commissions that improved living conditions in poorer countries

Weaknesses of the League… Certain key nations did not join (e.g. USA) – others left (Germany, 1933; Russia joined in 1934, left 1939; Japan left 1932/3; Italy left 1936) It had no real power to enforce decisions – relied on goodwill and persuasion No permanent military force Economic sanctions did not work Failed to achieve disarmament of all nations in the 1930s (one of the 4 principal aims of the League) Decision-making was slow because both Assembly and Council required unanimous votes to take action – sometimes aggressive countries had already been successful before the League got round to action Certain key members of the Council could veto action (e.g. Italy (1935- 6) and Japan (1931-2) Neither Britain nor France gave the League their full support - they were more worried about their own empires and trade, particularly during the World Economic Crisis, 1929-35

Successes & failures in the 1920s Work of the League’s commissions – particularly refugees, drug trafficking, slavery etc International Labour Organisation – campaigning for improved working and pay conditions Border disputes in Upper Silesia in 1921 Aaland Islands dispute, 1921 Greek invasion of Bulgaria in 1925 Vilna dispute in 1920 Greek-Turkish war 1920-22 The French and Belgian invasion of the Ruhr in 1923 The Corfu incident in 1923 Failure of disarmament efforts in the 1920s – Washington Naval Treaty (1922), failure to have an international conference on disarmament until 1933 Failure of self-determination in the Treaties

Successes & failures in the 1920s Supervised peace and disarmament negotiations 1921 Washington Treaty Conference 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact

Japan in Manchuria: Watch video and take notes.

Italy in Abyssinia: Watch video and take notes.