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The League of Nations: Formation and Challenges

May 3, 2025

Lecture Notes: The League of Nations and its Impact

Introduction

  • Post-World War One, there was a strong desire for peace.
  • Leaders and politicians aimed to create an international organization to maintain global peace and security.
  • American President Woodrow Wilson was a key proponent, playing a significant role in founding the League of Nations.
  • Wilson received the Nobel Prize in 1920 for his efforts.

Formation of the League of Nations

  • Established as part of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.
  • First meeting held on January 16, 1920, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Structure

  • Collective Security: Member countries act together to punish and stop aggression.
    • Sanctions, trade bans, or military intervention.
  • Council: Permanent and non-permanent members with three-year terms.
  • Assembly: Representatives from all member states, meeting annually.
    • Made recommendations on economic, social, disarmament, and peacekeeping issues.
  • Secretariat: Handled daily operations, headed by the Secretary-General.
    • Prepared reports, investigations, maintained contacts.
  • Supported by technical and administrative services, including a library and research section.

Membership

  • Started with 41 member states.
  • The United States did not join due to disagreements between President Wilson and the U.S. Senate.
  • Main council members: British Empire, France, Italy, and Japan.
    • Germany joined in 1926.
    • Soviet Union joined in 1934.

Key Organizations

  • Refugee Organization: Assisted war victims.
  • International Labor Organization: Improved working conditions.
  • Health Organization: Advocated for better healthcare systems.

Achievements in the 1920s

  • Dispute Resolution:
    • Finland-Sweden over Åland Islands: Remained part of Finland with privileges for Swedish-speaking population.
    • Austria's financial crisis: Provided loans, new currency, central bank.
    • Greece-Italy over Corfu: Negotiated withdrawal and compensation.
    • Greece-Bulgaria border dispute: Prevented war.
  • Demonstrated peaceful and diplomatic conflict resolution.

Challenges and Decline in the 1930s

  • Manchuria Crisis (1931):
    • Japan attacked China; League's response was inadequate.
    • Major powers prioritized national interests.
    • Japan left the League in 1933.
  • Germany and the League:
    • Germany left in 1934 under Hitler.
    • Threatened international peace.
  • Abyssinia Crisis (1935):
    • Italy invaded Ethiopia; League imposed sanctions.
    • Mussolini left in 1937.
  • League not taken seriously afterward.

Reasons for Failure

  • U.S. non-participation weakened the League's power and authority.
  • Exclusion of powerful countries initially (USSR, Germany).
  • Britain and France, the most powerful members, had differing visions and mistrust.
  • Unanimous decision-making slowed actions.
  • Lack of military power and reluctance to use member nations' forces.
  • Great Depression (1929) distracted major powers, leading to unchecked aggression by Japan and Italy.

Conclusion

  • Failures in the 1930s contributed to the League's collapse.
  • Ineffective in maintaining peace leading up to World War II.

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