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The Vilnius incident
Poland and Lithuania were at odds of the city of Vilnius. The people of Vilnius were mainly Polish. Poland tried to make Vilnius a part of Poland. Vilnius was also Lithuania’s constitutional capital, so they had a claim on the city. Polish troops invaded Vilnius, and the League told them to withdraw to which Poland refused. The League’s council, not wanting to upset Poland, awarded Vilnius to them. Lithuania didn’t accept the decision and broke off diplomatic ties with Poland.
FAILURE! -
TREATY OF VERSAILLES
The Treaty of Versailles was signed, hence the covenant of the League of Nations was accepted. America however failed to join the League of Nations after it was voted against in Congress, to keep the USA out of future conflicts in Europe, part of its policy of isolationism. -
THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS OFICIALLY ESTABLISHED!
The covenant of the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles officially come into force. -
Upper Silesia dispute
Poland and Germany both claimed Upper Silesia. The area was given to Poland in the TOV, but most of the population were German. A plebiscite was held and Germany received 60% of the vote. The land was split according to the vote, with Poland recieving most of the industrial areas and Germany getting the rural areas. Both countries accepted.
SUCCESS! -
Aaland Islands dispute
Both Finland and Sweden claimed the Aaland Islands. Most of the islanders wanted to be under Swedish control, but after investigation the League gave the islands to Finland. Sweden accepted the judgement. International guarantees were made to ensure the Swedish culture on the islands was protected. After many years, the islanders came to the opinion that Finnish sovereignty was beneficial.
SUCCESS! -
CORFU INCIDENT
A dispute over island of Corfu, between Italy and Greece. As a result of an Italian General’s assassination and Greek refusal to accept responsibility and retribution, Italy invaded the island of Corfu. The League ordered Italy to withdraw from Corfu to which they refused. The League’s council accepted Italy’s demands that Greece should pay compensation. The League failed as it showed preferential treatment of a large nation, and was proven powerless against force.
BIGGEST FAILURE OF 1920’S! -
Greco-Bulgarian Crisis
After a border skirmish, Greece invaded Bulgaria. The League ordered Greece to withdraw its troops and pay compensation to Bulgaria. Both nations accepted.
SUCCESS -
Germany joins the League
After Gustav Stresemann signed the Locarno Treaty in 1925 promising not to change Germany’s land border, he proved the crippled nation to be a respectable and trustworthy country again. Consequently, the League invited Germany to join. Germany even became a member of the Council.
SUCCESS! -
WALL STREET CRASH!
The stock market collapses on Wall Street, causing an economic depression across the world. The severity of the depression only decreased the success rate of the League of Nations, a crippling blow to the already unstable organisation. The wall street crash can actually be laid to blame for the League’s collapse throughout the 1930’s, as Europe saw the rise of extremism the League and its terrible weaknesses struggled to control the aggressive nations rising across the continent. -
THE MANCHURIAN CRISIS!
After the “Mukden incident”, Japan invaded Manchuria, to offset the crippling results of the depression in Japan. China asked the League for help. The League asked Japan to withdraw its troops. Japan refused, so the League sent the Lytton Commission, which took 6 weeks. The League accepted the findings of the commission but didn’t impose any economic/military sanctions. The League was seen as ineffective, slow and indecisive. Japan left the League, and did not withdraw from Manchuria.
FAILURE! -
THE WORLD DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE (1932-34)
Pressure for disarmament in the 30’s was a result of the League’s inability to fight military force, and Hitler’s impending plans to rearm. In 1933, Hitler wanted all the League members to disarm, to which France refused, so Germany left the League. Countries were too wound up in internal affairs to reach any decisions—Germany was not treated as equal and rearmed secretly, Japan invaded Manchuria etc… People began to question the League’s efficacy as the disarmament conference proved a…
FAILURE! -
Japan leaves the League
FAILURE -
Germany leaves the League
FAILURE -
USSR joins the League
SUCCESS -
ABYSSINIAN CRISIS (1935-36)
A border incident gave Italy an excuse to invade Abyssinia for resources, expansion and revenge. Italy invaded Abyssinia. The League issued a moral condemnation, Italy ignored it. Economic sanctions were issued, but not on coal, oil, steel and iron—materials vital for war. The Hoare-Laval Pact proved that Britain and France were selfish. This crisis meant the League and its ‘collective security’ failed. Italy left the League in 1937 after successfully defeating Abyssinia in 1936.
FAILURE! -
Spanish Civil War starts
FAILURE -
Italy leaves the League of Nations
FAILURE -
WWII BEGINS!!!
The start of World War 2 was a clear cut indication of the League of Nations’ FAILURE to achieve…
- Peace through collective security.
- International cooperation.
- Disarmament. -
USSR expelled from the League of Nations
FAILURE -
THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS CEASES TO EXIST!!!!
"With effect from the day following the close of the present session of the Assembly [i.e., April 19], the League of Nations shall cease to exist except for the sole purpose of the liquidation of its affairs as provided in the present resolution."
THE END