1. Causes of WWII in Europe
The Failure of Collective Security

2. TIMELINE 1919- T. of Versailles, St. Germain 1920- LON
1922- T. of Rapallo (Germany + USSR)
1923- Fr. into Ruhr
1924- Dawes Plan
1925- Locarno Treaties
1926- Germany into LON
1928- K-B Pact
1929- Young Plan, Wall Street crash
1932- Lausanne Conference (reparations)
1933- Hitler as Chancellor

3. The LON
CS= idea that peace preserved by nations acting together to stop attacks by one nation on another
Possible through LON
Disputes go through ASSEMBLY
If no resolution, Council apply “collective security”
As a group, impose moral pressure, economic sanctions, force compliance

4. The Covenant First meeting in Geneva, 1920
Keep peace, avoid future conflict
How? Advise/settle disputes
Promote disarmament, oversee mandates, promote int’l good will, int’l cooperation via social/econ development
32 (Allied states + neutral states)
1926- ex-enemy states enter
USSR enter 1934
US not a member

5. Articles 26 Articles When/how the LON should operate
1-7: membership/organization (Assembly, Council, Secretariat)
8-17: prevention of war
18-21: treaty obligations, expectations of members
22: mandates
23: humanitarian issues
Labor conditions, human trafficking, drugs, health, arms trade
24: commissions
25: Red Cross
26: rules for amending

6. Int’l Disputes
Disputes go to: Permanent Court of Int’l Justice, arbitration, OR investigation/enquiry by Council
Sanctions placed on member states that did not refer disputes to League
Seemed to work as economic blockade of Germany after WWI appeared to be effective
Military action as last resort
But no LON armed forces and most member states did not want to submit troops under int’l control
When and how to use? Ambiguous

7. Questions
What aspects of the Covenant made the LON an organization likely to fulfill its claims of collective security?
What aspects weakened the League’s ability to deliver collective security?

8. Problems Changing membership Absence of major powers
Powers in and out as governments shift
1920s- liberal governments rise, economic demise during GD, aggressive right- wing govs w/in league = polarization
Shift in late 20s from USSR to Axis as threat
Absence of major powers
Impacts working/influence of LON
US- LON idea of WW, but Congress dispute
Pivotal role in ending WWI, but turn to isolationism after

9. Absence of USA Problems US was most powerful economic nation post-WWI
Would have given sanctions more weight
w/o US participation, sanctions undermined
Makeup of members very European (ex: Japan)
Not “worldwide” organization
Goals of members?
LON could be sidelined for old-style agreements/treaties
How US would secure foreign relationships since not w/in LON
Many member states in decline

10. Absence of USSR Excluded- Bolshevik state seen as “pariah” Problems?
W. powers involved in Russian Civil War (18-21) w/ “White” counter- revolutionaries
Old Euro powers concerned w/ new government
Fear of revolution of proletariate spreading  desire to isolate Soviets, not embrace
Problems?
Weakened LON since USSR sees as “club for capitalists”
Used to say LON promoted and protected capitalist interests, expense of exploited masses.

11. Absence of Germany Germany excluded @ first
Undermine ideals of LON + appearance of “victor’s club”
4 permanent members of Council = victorious Allies
Ignore fact that Germany was still strong end of war
Assumption of Allies having strong, clear victory over Germany
 belief that Allies had reason for re-ordering Euro politics
= FLAW
Military defeat in W, but not E
Immediate end of war- still see expansionist policy, economy still intact
So why not include in LON?
Optimism about Germany  entrance in 1926

12. Weakness of Central Europe
A-H empire collapse  small, independent nations based on nationality
Political/econ struggles of new states = instability
Small, unstable states need support from LON rather than being able to contribute as other large Euro states
Issues? Economic development, territorial security

13. Questions
TWE was the LON “doomed to fail” due ot the limitations of its Covenant and structure?
Why might the failure of the USA to join the LON be viewed as critically important?
How might countries/regions around the world perceive the role of the LON differently?