CH 2: League of Nations
Why weren’t Americans fond of the League? (not as important)
● The League was supposed to enforce the ToV, but many Americans hated it
● They feared that joining the League would mean sending US soldiers to settle every little conflict
around the world (that didn’t even have anything to do with the US), which nobody wanted after
WW1
● If they were forced to impose sanctions, it might be American trade and business that suffered
most
● Some feared the League would be dominated by Britain or France, and that they would act
according to their own self-interests by defending their empires (many in the US were anti-
empires)
● One of Wilson’s political opponents criticised the LoN by suggesting it was a British scheme to
exploit the USA’s influence and power
After Republican candidate Warren Harding’s election in 1920 (Woodrow Wilson had suffered a stroke
and was too ill to run for president), he campaigned for the US to follow an agenda of ISOLATIONISM
(not getting involved in international alliances but following its own policies and self-interest), therefore
the USA never joined the League.
The League’s Aims:
1. Discourage aggression
2. International cooperation (business and trade)
3. Disarmament
4. Improve living and working conditions around the world
The League heavily relied on collective security (Article 10), which essentially meant that by acting
together, the members of the League would prevent war by defending the lands and interests of all
member nations.
It was also based in Geneva, Switzerland.
The League had 42 members when it was founded in January 1920, but by the 1930s it had 59
members.
, Country When it joined / left Why?
USA never joined mentioned above
Germany joined 1926, left had to prove it was a peace-loving nation following WW1,
1933 left so Hitler could follow his agenda
USSR joined 1934 many member states including Britain and France, did not
trust communist states
Italy left 1937 frustration with the sanctions imposed after the Abyssinian
Crisis, felt it was unjust interference in Italian expansionism
(Mussolini then formed an alliance with Nazi Germany)
Japan left 1933 frustration over the League’s condemnation of Japan’s 1931
invasion of Manchuria
Even though Britain and France remained in the League for the entirety of its existence (1919 - 1945),
they had other priorities. British politicians were more interested in rebuilding British trade and looking
after the British empire, and France’s main concern was Germany. They felt as though the League was
too weak to protect France and Britain would likely not send an army to help, so France was prepared to
bypass the League if necessary to strengthen its position against Germany.
ORGANISATION OF THE LEAGUE
The Council:
- met usually around five times a year
- permanent members were Britain, France, Italy and Japan
- temporary members were elected by the Assembly for 3 year periods
- each of the permanent members had a veto
its main aims to resolve disputes by talking but if that did not work, the League could use:
1. moral condemnation —> telling the ‘aggressor’ country to stop
2. economic and financial sanctions —> member countries would refuse to trade with the
aggressor (however this was a double-sided blade because it was also harmful for those
imposing the sanctions)
3. military force —> the armed forces of member countries could be used against the aggressor
HOWEVER,
the League did not have its own army (like Wilson had initially planned), meaning it was completely
reliant on its members’ willingness to sacrifice its army (which was not very likely)
Why weren’t Americans fond of the League? (not as important)
● The League was supposed to enforce the ToV, but many Americans hated it
● They feared that joining the League would mean sending US soldiers to settle every little conflict
around the world (that didn’t even have anything to do with the US), which nobody wanted after
WW1
● If they were forced to impose sanctions, it might be American trade and business that suffered
most
● Some feared the League would be dominated by Britain or France, and that they would act
according to their own self-interests by defending their empires (many in the US were anti-
empires)
● One of Wilson’s political opponents criticised the LoN by suggesting it was a British scheme to
exploit the USA’s influence and power
After Republican candidate Warren Harding’s election in 1920 (Woodrow Wilson had suffered a stroke
and was too ill to run for president), he campaigned for the US to follow an agenda of ISOLATIONISM
(not getting involved in international alliances but following its own policies and self-interest), therefore
the USA never joined the League.
The League’s Aims:
1. Discourage aggression
2. International cooperation (business and trade)
3. Disarmament
4. Improve living and working conditions around the world
The League heavily relied on collective security (Article 10), which essentially meant that by acting
together, the members of the League would prevent war by defending the lands and interests of all
member nations.
It was also based in Geneva, Switzerland.
The League had 42 members when it was founded in January 1920, but by the 1930s it had 59
members.
, Country When it joined / left Why?
USA never joined mentioned above
Germany joined 1926, left had to prove it was a peace-loving nation following WW1,
1933 left so Hitler could follow his agenda
USSR joined 1934 many member states including Britain and France, did not
trust communist states
Italy left 1937 frustration with the sanctions imposed after the Abyssinian
Crisis, felt it was unjust interference in Italian expansionism
(Mussolini then formed an alliance with Nazi Germany)
Japan left 1933 frustration over the League’s condemnation of Japan’s 1931
invasion of Manchuria
Even though Britain and France remained in the League for the entirety of its existence (1919 - 1945),
they had other priorities. British politicians were more interested in rebuilding British trade and looking
after the British empire, and France’s main concern was Germany. They felt as though the League was
too weak to protect France and Britain would likely not send an army to help, so France was prepared to
bypass the League if necessary to strengthen its position against Germany.
ORGANISATION OF THE LEAGUE
The Council:
- met usually around five times a year
- permanent members were Britain, France, Italy and Japan
- temporary members were elected by the Assembly for 3 year periods
- each of the permanent members had a veto
its main aims to resolve disputes by talking but if that did not work, the League could use:
1. moral condemnation —> telling the ‘aggressor’ country to stop
2. economic and financial sanctions —> member countries would refuse to trade with the
aggressor (however this was a double-sided blade because it was also harmful for those
imposing the sanctions)
3. military force —> the armed forces of member countries could be used against the aggressor
HOWEVER,
the League did not have its own army (like Wilson had initially planned), meaning it was completely
reliant on its members’ willingness to sacrifice its army (which was not very likely)
