Question 1

Why did the League of Nations fail to stop World War II?

Accepted Answer

The League failed mainly because it lacked enforcement power—it had no army, and economic sanctions were easily ignored by aggressive nations like Japan and Italy. Key members like Britain and France prioritised appeasement to avoid war, and the USA never joined, weakening the League's authority. The Great Depression also made countries focus on their own problems, reducing their willingness to act collectively. These failures allowed dictators to expand unchecked, leading to WWII.

Question 2

What were the successes of the League of Nations?

Accepted Answer

The League had several successes in the 1920s, including resolving the Aaland Islands dispute (1921) between Sweden and Finland, and the Greek-Bulgarian border incident (1925). It also did valuable humanitarian work, such as repatriating prisoners of war, fighting diseases like leprosy and malaria, and improving labour conditions through the International Labour Organisation. These achievements show that the League could work effectively for smaller issues, but it struggled with major powers.

Question 3

Why didn't the USA join the League of Nations?

Accepted Answer

The USA did not join because the US Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, which included the League's covenant. Many Americans were isolationist and feared being dragged into future European wars. President Wilson campaigned for membership but suffered a stroke, and the Senate voted against it. Without the USA, the League lacked a major economic and military power, which significantly weakened its ability to enforce decisions.

Question 4

How did the League of Nations try to keep peace in the 1920s?

Accepted Answer

The League used several methods: moral condemnation (naming and shaming aggressors), economic sanctions (cutting trade), and arbitration (settling disputes through negotiation). In the 1920s, these worked for smaller conflicts, like the Aaland Islands and Upper Silesia. The League also promoted disarmament through conferences, though with limited success. Its humanitarian work helped build international cooperation, but it lacked the military force to back up its decisions.

Question 5

What was the difference between the League of Nations and the United Nations?

Accepted Answer

The UN learned from the League's failures. Unlike the League, the UN has a Security Council with five permanent members (USA, UK, France, Russia, China) who can veto decisions, and it can authorise military action through peacekeeping forces. The UN also requires all members to contribute to enforcement, whereas the League relied on voluntary action. The UN's structure is stronger, but it still faces challenges like the League did, especially when permanent members disagree.

Question 6

How did the Manchurian Crisis show the League's weaknesses?

Accepted Answer

In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria (northeast China). The League condemned Japan but took no real action because Japan was a major power and League members like Britain and France were more concerned with their own interests. The League sent the Lytton Commission, which took a year to report, and Japan simply left the League. This showed that the League was slow, lacked an army, and could not stop a determined aggressor, especially when that aggressor was a permanent member of the Council.

The League of Nations and international peace

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