Failures of the League of Nations in the 1930s

Introduction

• Paris Peace Treaties officially ended WWI.
• Treaty of Versailles was unpopular, especially in Germany.
• League of Nations established to foster international cooperation and prevent future wars.
• Impact of the League was limited.

Context

• The content is part of a history guide related to appeasement and the road to war.

Significant Failures of the League of Nations

• Aggressor nations undermined the League's authority.
• Member nations, particularly Britain and France, did not fully commit to the League’s decisions, prioritizing their own policies.

Notable Failures

1. Britain and France

   • Ignored the League to appease Hitler.
   • Actions contributed to the outbreak of WWII.

2. Economic Depression

   • Encouraged aggressiveness among nations.
   • Rise of fascist dictatorships in Germany, Italy, and Japan aiming for empire expansion.

3. Manchurian Crisis (1932)

   • Japan invaded Manchuria.
   • League’s objection was ineffective.
   • Japan left the League in March 1933.

4. Hitler and Germany

   • Germany withdrew from the League in October 1933.

5. Abyssinian Crisis (1935)

   • Italy invaded Abyssinia.
   • League condemned the invasion, but Britain and France secretly negotiated with Italy.

6. Sudeten Crisis (1938)

   • By 1938, the League was largely ignored by Britain and France, who preferred appeasement.

Consequences

• The League's authority was severely compromised.
• Unable to stop Germany post-1935.
• The failures contributed to the path leading to WWII.

Related Topics

• Nazi foreign policy (1933-38).
• British and French appeasement up to 1938.
• Final steps to WWII.

Additional Resources

• BBC History, BBC One: History of Scotland.
• SQA National 5 History, History Extra.
• The Historical Association, Scottish History Society.

These notes provide a summarized understanding of the weaknesses and failures of the League of Nations in the 1930s, detailing its inability to manage aggression from rising fascist powers and the lack of commitment from key member states like Britain and France.