League of Nations

What was the League of Nations

• An organisation to solve international problems without resulting to war

• One of Wilson’s 14 points

What initial disagreements were there about the LoN

USA: Wilson: wanted it to be a world parliament and representatives could meet and discuss issues

Britain: simple organisation, only emergencies

France: strong league with its own army

Wilson’s vision

• He got his way

• All major nations join

• Disputes resolved by the league

• Disarm

• Protect eachother

• Help promote peace

Why were people critical?

The public may not agree And countries may not listen

Why did most people in Europe willing to try Wilson’s plan?

• hoped countries would not invade eachother if the US stopped trading with eachother and using their military to enforce peace

• Threat of trade sanctions

Why was the US opposed

1. Supposed to enforce the treaty but some Americans hated it

2. Some thought they would have to send US soldiers to settle conflicts. No one wanted this after WW1

3. If the league imposed sanctions, it may be the US triad and business which suffered most

4. People feared it would be dominated by Britain or France so they would have to fight for their empires. Many were anti empires

What happened to Wilson’s aim in 1920?

• isolationism: US would net get involved in international affairs. US remained until WW2

• Never joined the league

Aims of the LoN

1. Discourage aggression from any nation

2. Encourage countries to cooperate in business and trade

3. Encourage disarmament

4. Improve the living and working conditions of people in all parts of the world

What was article 10?

The members of the league could prevent war by defending the lands and interests of all nations

1 role of the league

• Uphold and enforce the treaty of Versailles and run mandates

Membership of the league

• originally had 42 when created in 1920

• Japan leaves 1933

• Italy leaves 1937

• 1930s: 59 members

Countries and their rulings

1. Germany - couldn’t join till proved peaceful

2. USSR - couldn’t join till 1934 because communist states weren’t trusted

3. Br + Fr - most powerful as they were part of the big 3 and guided policy

Why were Britain and France ineffective leaders?

1. Been weakened by WWI

2. Didn’t have enough resources to fill USAs gap

3. France too concerned with Germany - worried they couldn’t protect themselves

4. France doubted that Br would help if they were attacked so they were ready to defy the rules

5. They didn’t think the league would work without the USA

Sectors of the league: the assembly

1. The leagues parliament

2. Every country had a representative

3. Met once a year

4. Recommend action to the council

5. Weakness: decisions were unanimous so they never all agreed

Sectors of the league: The counci

1. Most influential

2. Small group

3. Met 5 times a year

4. Membership:

   Permanent - 1920: Britain, France, Italy, Japan

   Temporary - elected by the assembly

5. Each permanent member had a veto

Sectors of the league: The secretariat

1. Civil service of the league

2. Kept records

3. Brought together experts from across the world on key issues

Sectors of the league: The commissions

1. Mandates: make sure Br + Fr acted in the interests of all the people

2. Refugees: help refugees

3. Slavery: abolish slavery and help workers

4. Health: aimed to spread new ideas and fight diseases

Sectors of the league: ILO

1. Improve working conditions

2. Collect statistics and promote their ideas about working conditions

Sectors of the league: Permanent court of international Justice

1. Made up of judges from the member countries

2. Settle disputes

3. BUT had no way of making sore that countries followed its rulings

S+W: Organisation & structure of the league

1. ILO improved working conditions

2. The court had power to make legal decisions

3. Living conditions were improved eg refugees returned to their homes after WWI