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League of Nations Analysis

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League of Nations Analysis

Use the evidence on this sheet to analyse how the League of Nations worked, where it succeeded and why it struggled. Support judgements with specific evidence.

How was the League designed?

The League of Nations was established in 1920 after the First World War. Its Covenant set out its aims and procedures. The Assembly included all member states and usually met annually. The Council was a smaller body that dealt with urgent issues. The Secretariat carried out administrative work from Geneva. Article 10 promised to protect members’ territorial integrity; Article 16 provided for sanctions against aggressors. The League had no armed forces of its own, and important decisions often required unanimity.

1.Which body of the League included representatives of all member states and usually met annually?

The Assembly
The Council
The Secretariat
The Permanent Court of International Justice

2.In your own words, explain the principle of collective security. Include what member states were expected to do if one country attacked another.

3.Which two features most directly limited the League’s ability to respond quickly and enforce its decisions?

Unanimity was often required, and the League had no army of its own
The Assembly met annually, and the Secretariat was based in Geneva
Article 10 concerned territory, and Article 16 concerned sanctions
The League worked after the First World War, and its members were independent

Test the League against events

The cases below show different kinds of challenge. At Åland in 1921, the League helped settle a dispute between Sweden and Finland, and the islands went to Finland with safeguards for their Swedish-speaking population. In Upper Silesia in 1921, it helped divide a contested industrial region between Germany and Poland. In 1931, Japan seized Manchuria from China. The League investigated, but its report condemning Japan’s actions came slowly; Japan rejected it and left the League in 1933. In 1935, Italy invaded Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia). The League imposed sanctions, but they did not include oil and did not stop Italy’s conquest.

4.Match each event to its outcome. Write the correct letter beside each number. 1. Åland Islands dispute 2. Upper Silesia dispute 3. Manchurian Crisis 4. Abyssinian Crisis A. Japan rejected the League’s findings and withdrew B. Italy conquered the country despite sanctions C. The League helped settle the dispute with safeguards for the local population D. The League helped divide the contested region

1. Åland Islands dispute
2. Upper Silesia dispute
3. Manchurian Crisis
4. Abyssinian Crisis

A. Japan rejected findings and withdrew
C. Settled with safeguards for the local population
B. Italy conquered despite sanctions
D. Contested region divided

5.Which comparison is best supported by the evidence?

The League achieved more in disputes where its decisions could be accepted than when a powerful aggressor rejected them
The League succeeded in Manchuria but failed in the Åland Islands
Sanctions always stopped aggression when they were imposed
The League used its own army to resolve all four disputes

6.Choose either the Manchurian or Abyssinian Crisis. Explain one reason the League’s response did not stop the aggressor. Use a specific detail from the evidence.

Make a historical judgement

Consider the League’s achievements as well as its failures. A strong judgement weighs evidence, explains why outcomes differed and avoids treating every case as identical.

7.Which statement best explains why the absence of the United States mattered to the League?

The League lacked the participation of a major power that could have added influence and resources
The United States controlled the League’s Secretariat from Geneva
Without the United States, the League could not hold an Assembly
The United States had promised to supply the League with an army

8.A student claims, “The League was a complete failure.” Give one piece of evidence that supports this claim and one piece that challenges it.

9.Write a balanced judgement: how successful was the League of Nations in maintaining peace between 1920 and 1939? Use at least two examples and explain what they reveal about the League’s strengths or limitations.