League of Nations and Collapse of Peace Flashcards

Flashcards about the League of Nations and the collapse of peace.

Assembly (in the League of Nations)

Main meeting of all member countries that made decisions on the League's policies.

Secretariat (in the League of Nations)

Handled the day-to-day work of the League of Nations, such as writing reports and keeping records.

International Labour Organisation

Aimed to improve working conditions by collecting data, setting standards, and bringing together workers, employers, and governments.

Collective Security

Countries act together to stop aggression and maintain peace.

Conference of Ambassadors

Sometimes took over League issues, weakening its authority and independence.

Why unanimous decisions were needed in the Assembly and Council

Ensured all members agreed and prevented powerful countries from being forced into unwanted actions.

Germany's membership in the League of Nations (1926-1933)

Joined in 1926 to show peace after WWI; Hitler came to power in 1933 and left the League.

How World Depression led to aggression

Countries lost jobs and money, and leaders wanted to distract people with foreign success.

Why economic sanctions failed against Italy in Abyssinia

Not all goods were banned (like oil), the USA was not in the League, and Britain and France didn’t want to upset Mussolini.

"Lebensraum"

The Nazis believed they needed more land for Germans to live and grow. They wanted to take land in Eastern Europe to give Germans more “living space”.

The Stresa Front (1935)

Britain, France, and Italy agreed to stop Hitler, but it didn’t last long.

Actions of Hitler and Mussolini over Austria in July 1934

Nazis tried to take over Austria; Mussolini stopped Hitler by sending troops.

Why Germany signed the pact with Poland in 1934

To avoid war with Poland while planning other moves and to make Hitler seem peaceful.

Why Italy changed from supporting Britain and France to supporting Germany

Britain and France made Italy angry in the Abyssinia crisis; Mussolini shared fascist ideas with Hitler.

Why Britain and France gave a guarantee to Poland in 1939

Hitler took Czechoslovakia; wanted to stop more German aggression.

Why Stalin refused to join an anti-German alliance with Britain and France in 1939

He didn’t trust them and they let Hitler grow too powerful (appeasement).

Nazi-Soviet Pact

Said Germany and the USSR would not fight each other and secretly agreed to share Poland, leading to WWII.