The League of Nations

A Promise Unfulfilled

Why a League?

• The idea of a League of Nations was suggested during the creation of the Treaty of Versailles

• After the horrors of WWI, people wanted to find a way in which future wars could be avoided.

• It was hoped that through collective security nations would be able to curb aggressors and sort out differences peacefully

• Collective Security is one type of coalition building strategy in which a group of nations agree not to attack each other and to defend each other against an attack from one of the others, if such an attack is made. The principal is that "an attack against one, is an attack against all." It differs from "collective defense" which is a coalition of nations which agree to defend its own group against outside attacks. Proponents of collective security say it is a much more effective approach to security than individual countries trying to act alone, as weaker countries cannot possibly defend themselves. Some say that collective security arrangements are naively unrealistic. Although they are pledged to defend each other, many countries will refuse to do so, if such an act is not in their own best interests or is thought to be too risky or expensive.

The League of Nations

• The League was based in Geneva, Switzerland (chosen due to Switzerland’s neutrality)

• The League started with 42 member-nations, but grew to include over 60

• The main mission of the League was to prevent war.• Of the world’s major powers, only Britain, France, Italy

and Japan joined the League• Germany (WWI enemy) and Russia (Communist) were

not allowed to join the League • The USA did not join because they didn’t want to be

involved in European struggles (isolationism)

The Goals of the League

1. to deal with disputes among nations 2. to prevent war 3. to protect the independence of countries and

safeguard their borders 4. to encourage each country to reduce its

armaments • It also attempted to deal with world issues such

as: labour relations, improving health, stopping the drug trade, and helping refugees

Keeping the PeaceThe League had 4 main methods of preventingconflict:1. Covenant: The League members had all signed a

pact promising that they would keep the peace. (collective security)

2. Condemnation: The League could tell a country it was in the wrong. (moral persuasion)

3. Arbitration: The League could offer to settle a dispute if the nations involved agreed to it.

4. Sanctions: The League could ask its members to stop trading with the offending country

Using Force • In theory, the League could use military force to

compel an offending nation to cease hostile actions.

• However, the League had no military of its own that it could use to do this.

• If the League needed military power, one or more of the member-nations would have to volunteer to supply it.

• The member-nations had made no agreements that guaranteed they would provide troops if the League asked

Weaknesses of the League• relied upon the desire of countries to maintain peace • had no method to compel its members to abide by the rules

– Did not have a League army – so could not bring force to bear on an aggressor

• Some of the most powerful countries in the world were not members of the League

• European members wanted to avoid another large war at all costs

• Members too concerned with domestic issues like the Great Depression

• The League rules were sometimes violated by the major members themselves (France & Britain both held colonies, sometimes used force to achieve their goals) – this caused the League to have issues with legitimacy with other nations

MAJOR FAILURES of the LEAGUE

ITALY vs. ETHIOPIA: 1935

• Italy and Ethiopia were members of the League

• Mussolini(leader of Italy) conveted Ethiopia’s natural resources

• wanted a foothold on the African continent

• in 1935 invaded Ethiopia• League “condemned” but did not

act

JAPAN vs. CHINA: 1931• both were members of the League• Japan invested in Manchuria(on the

Chinese mainland) after WWI; were worried that China would restrict access to it

• In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria and China sought help from the League

• even when given proof of the atrocities committed, the League did not act, merely “condemned” the action

• Japan withdrew from the League and by the end of the 30s, both countries were at war with each other