Case Studies of 1920s

Vilna

Vilna was a city inhabited by both Poland and Lithuanians, given to Lithuania. However, due to there being both nations on the land, they both claimed the land and Poland invaded the island. Lithuania appealed to the League, but the League was not able to provide substantial support due to France wanting Poland as an ally against Germany.

They tried to hold a plebiscite which was rejected by both countries, and they tried to give both countries equal status, which was also rejected. After this the League claimed that there was no other solution and gave the land to Poland.

It was a faliure.

Åaland islands

Group of islands between Sweden and Finland, which belonged legally to Finland but had a 95% Swedish population. The League ruled that the land be left with Finland but demilitarise the area and giving the Swedish government more autonomy in the region.

This was a success.

Corfu

Italian General Enrico Telleni was murdered in Greece land along with 4 assistants. Mussolini orderded Italian troops to invade Corfu.

Upon appeal, Greece was forced to pay reparations to Italy and allow them to take over due to Mussolini being on the Security Council at the time.

This was a faliure.

Upper Silesia

Industrial area on the border of Germany and Poland, which was granted to Poland after Versailles. But due to the largely ethnic German population, they held a plebiscite vote and Germany won 60% of the votes. The League split the area and gave Poland the industrially rich areas and Germany the rural.

Due to the conflict not being violent, this was a success.

Greco-Bulgarian Conflict

A Greek military officer killed at the Bulgarian border, causing Greece to invade Bulgaria. Upon appeal, the League quickly responded and demanded both sides to step down, with Greece to pay 45,000GBP reparations to Bulgaria.

The situation mirrored Corfu closely and showed the impact of self-interest on the Council, but it was still a success.