Mr Allsop Q&A- League of Nations in the 1930s

What worldwide event strained relations between countries from 1929?

The Great Depression (triggered by the Wall St Crash)

What triggered the Japanese invasion of Manchuria?

Chinese aggression against their railway

How did China respond to the invasion?

Called on the League of Nations

Who led the League’s investigation of the Manchuria Crisis?

Lord Lytton

How long did it take the Lytton Enquiry to publish its Judgement?

Over a year- February 1933

What did the Lytton Enquiry say about the Manchurian Crisis?

Japan needed to leave Manchuria

What was Japan’s response to the ruling?

Japan quit the League

Why did the League not impose any sanctions against Japan?

Britain and France didn’t want to lose trade or send troops half way across the world

When did the League-organised World Disarmament Conference begin?

1932

What did Hitler argue at the World Disarmament conference?

Germany should be allowed to rearm to a level equal to that of the other powers

How did Hitler respond to the League’s opposition to rearmament?

Germany quite the conference and later, the League

When did Germany quit the League of Nations?

1934

How did Mussolini hope to distract Italians from the impact of the Great Depression?

Invasion of Abyssinia

When did Italian troops invade Abyssinia?

1935

How did Abyssinia respond to the Italian invasion?

asked the League for assistance

Why were Britain and France reluctant to punish Italy?

Wanted to keep Mussolini as an ally against Hitler

What actions did the League take against Italy?

Condemned the invasion and imposed some economic sanctions

Which product was not the subject of economic sanctions against Italy?

Oil

Which waterway continued to be open to Italian ships?

Suez Canal

What was the name of the secret-deal drawn up by Britain and France while dealing with the Abyssinia crisis?

Hoare-Laval Pact

What was the Hoare-Laval Pact?

• The Hoare-Laval Pact was a secret agreement between Britain, France and Italy during the Abyssinian Crisis.

  Terms were:

• Areas of Abyssinia would be given to Italy.

• Abyssinians would lose 66% of their land and would keep only the mountainous regions, while Italy would gain the fertile farmland.

What were the results of the Hoare-Laval pact?

Information about the pact was leaked to the press and the public reaction was one of anger. Laval and Hoare were made to resign and the League's reputation was damaged beyond repair

What was significant about the Hoare-Laval Pact?

The Hoare-Laval pact was significant because of the following reasons:

• ❖It showed that Britain and France were willing to undermine the League to protect their own interests.

• ❖The League was supposed to protect smaller countries, but Italy was given the rights to Abyssinian land after its aggressive actions.

What was the name of the agreement Mussolini later signed with Hitler?

The Rome-Berlin Axis

What was the Rome-Berlin Axis?

The Rome-Berlin Axis was a coalition between Italy and Germany that solidified their alliance before and during WWII.