League of Nations

By popomanny

  • League of Nations Created

    An initiative spearheaded by Woodrow Wilson. After WW1, many people wanted a way to prevent future war. An international organisation was favoured by many i.e. Paul Hymans (Belgium), Lord Cecil (Britain). Wilson put it into the Treaty of Versailles as one of his Fourteen Points. Unfortunately, the US never joined the League, due to their isolationist standpoint.

  • Poland-Lithuania Dispute

    Concerned territorial control of border town Vilnius. Asked the League for help, yet they were only able to negotiate a small armistice. Led to tensions of war.

  • Upper-Silesia Dispute

    Germany and Poland had a minor dispute over the industrial region of Upper Silesia. It was referred to the League and they held a plebiscite. 2/3 went to Germany, and the other third went to Poland. The decision was accepted.

  • Aaland Islands Dispute

    The Aaland Islands were Finnish, however, the people on them were Swedes. Sweden claimed the Islands. It was referred to the League, and they decided the Islands stay with Finland. The decision was accepted.

  • Corfu Dispute

    Italian officials were killed on the Greece-Albania border. Italy, in retaliation, occupied the Greek island Corfu. They demanded compensation. The League ordered them to leave, however, the decision was ignored. Italy referred the dispute to the Council of Ambassadors, who said Italy were in their rights. Greece was forced to pay compensation.

  • Greece-Bulgaria Dispute

    Greek officials were killed by Bulgarian officers on the border. Greece invaded yet Bulgaria referred it to the League. Greece was ordered to leave and pay compensation. The decision was accepted.

  • Locarno Treaties

    Confirmed the borders Germany had after WW1. Undermined the League of Nations.

  • Germany joins the League.

  • Kellogg-Briand Pact

    A number of countries including Britain and France agreed not to use force to resolve disputes.

  • Wall Street Crash

    Created self-interest in some nations. Led to the rise of some extreme political parties i.e. the Nazi Party.

  • Manchurian Crisis

    Japan staged a bombing in order to invade Manchuria, a Chinese region. The League intervened a year later, however the decision was rejected by Japan, with them stating they had a right to do what they did. Could have been avoided had the USA been a part of the League.

  • Germany withdraws from the League of Nations

    Germany withdraws from the League at the World Disarmament Conference, angry at not being allowed to rearm although all other countries were armed. Used as a pretense to begin Germany's rearmament programme.

  • USSR joins the League

    The Soviet Union joins the League after being excluded for its Communist beliefs. Its absence had a hand in causing the downfall of the League.

  • Japan withdraws from the League

    Japan withdraws from the League as they feel they were diplomatically attacked by the League's actions in the Manchurian Crisis.

  • Abyssinian Crisis

    Italy invades Abyssinia, wanting more territory for their Empire. Britain and France don't want to anger Italy, a vital ally in defending themselves against Germany. However, they don't want to make the League seem like a failure. They manage to do both by placing minimal sanctions on Italy.
  • Period: to

    Spanish Civil War

    A war between the government forces of Spain and the Fascist forces of Franco breaks out. The League refuses to involve itself, as it's an internal conflict. Italy and Germany support Franco, while the USSR sends Republican Spain weapons and the like.

  • Italy withdraws from the League of Nations

    Due to the League's response to the Abyssinian Crisis, Italy leaves the League of Nations.

  • Atlantic Charter Created

    A document which outlined both British and American war aims. Outlined the requirement for a new international peacekeeping organisation.

  • Declaration of United Nations

    26 nations declare their support of each other in defeating the Axis Powers. First use of name 'United Nations'.

  • Moscow Declaration

    The Big 4 (USSR, USA, UK, China) outline the need for a new international peacekeeping organisation.
  • Period: to

    Dumbarton Oaks Conference

    A conference in which the terms of the UN were negotiated and formulated. Took place in Washington, D.C.

  • Signing of the UN Charter

    Outlined rules and terms of the UN. Was formulated 14 August 1941.

  • The UN comes into existence

    The UN officially replaces the League of Nations as the international peacekeeping organisation.

  • League of Nations Dissolved

    League of Nations is dissolved due to its failure to prevent WW2. Ushers in the new age of the United Nations.