People wanted it to work didn’t want more war. – Clear, logical set of sanctions. Major powers did join in future (Germany and USSR) Minor successes in 1920s Weaknesses No USA missing the world’s strongest nation so no Membership – – economic or military might. Part of Treaty of Versailles many automatically resented it e.g. – Germans. Relied too much on Britain and France Only major powers, – considerably weakened and poorer after WW1. Self-interest Depression, countries poor and more interested in – regaining wealth than international peace. Economic Sanctions hard to enforce affect countries’ wealth to – stop trading, not keen on it. No army of its own Britain and France too poor to give military help, – only USA could help but wasn’t a member. Structure decisions had to be unanimous, made it hard for anything to – be decided. Couldn’t deal with strong countries e.g. Italy and Japan. – Successes Greece and Bulgaria (1925) border skirmish, Greek soldier killed. – Greece invades Bulgaria who asks league for help. Greece told to pull out and fined £45,000. Both countries accept this.
People wanted it to work – didn’t want more war. Clear, logical set of sanctions. Major powers did join in future (Germany and USSR) Minor successes in 1920s Weaknesses Membership – No USA – missing the world’s strongest nation so no economic or military might. Part of Treaty of Versailles – many automatically resented it e.g. Germans. Relied too much on Britain and France – Only major powers, considerably weakened and poorer after WW1. Self-interest – Depression, countries poor and more interested in regaining wealth than international peace. Economic Sanctions hard to enforce – affect countries’ wealth to stop trading, not keen on it. No army of its own – Britain and France too poor to give military help, only USA could help but wasn’t a member. Structure – decisions had to be unanimous, made it hard for anything to be decided. Couldn’t deal with strong countries – e.g. Italy and Japan. Successes Greece and Bulgaria (1925) – border skirmish, Greek soldier killed. Greece invades Bulgaria who asks league for help. Greece told to pull out and fined £45,000. Both countries accept this.
01history-league-of-nations.docx