League of Nations

Specific successes/Failures. ToV = Treaty of Versailles, LoN = League of Nations

The Aaland Islands (1921)

Success, determined that they should remain with Finland but that no weapons should ever be kept there. (Decision-making)

Upper Silesia (1921)

Success, referendum to choose whether to be part of Poland or Germany led to dispute/riot, League splits it between both countries. (Decision-making)

Memel (1923)

Success, Port in Lithuania under LoN control that Lithuania wanted to govern, made into an “international zone” and surrounding area given to Lithuania. Some see as emphasizing military weakness because LoN responded positively to use of force.

Turkey (1923)

Success, LoN failed to stop war here but did aided many refugees, spent 10 millions pounds of building farms/houses, found work for 600,000 people, etc.

Greece and Bulgaria (1925)

Success, LoN ordered both armies to stop fighting, Greeks should pull out of Bulgaria, Greece was to blame + fined 45,000 pounds.

Italy (1919)

Failure, captured small port in Fiume and was governed by nationalist d’Annunzio for 15 months, but LoN did nothing.

Teschen (1919)

Failure, town between Poland and Czechoslovakia of which had coal mines that both nations wanted —> street fights —> LoN gives most of town to Poles and one suburb to Czechoslovakia which happened to have the most valuable coal mines —> Poles remain angry

Vilna (1920)

Failure, taken over by Russia but historically was the capital of Lithuania, 30% of city was Polish and 2% was Lithuanian by 1920 and Poles seized Vilna. LoN could not help Lithuania/persuade Poland.

War between RUssia and Poland (1920-21)

Failure, Russia loses much land to Poland by force, LoN refuses to help because Russia is communist (West feared communist). Britain, France, and America send troops to attack Russia —> Russia becomes more antagonistic towards the West.

Treaty of Riga

Failure, caused by War between Russia and Poland, gave Poland almost 80,000 km² of Russian land and nearly doubled the size of Poland in 1921.

Invasion of the Ruhr (1923)

Failure, reparations were too high —> Weimar Germany failed to pay an installment in 1922 —> French and Belgian troops invade the valley to teach Germany a lesson. Showed LoN rules could be broken because no action was taken to stop France and Belgium since they were major backers of the LoN.

Italy and Albania (1923)

Failure, unclear border between these countries —> irritation —> 5 Italians ambushed and killed —> Italy accused Greece —> Mussolini convinces LoN to fine Greece 50 million lire. Yugoslavia gives port of Fiume to Italy out of fear of attack