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League of Nations Introduction

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League of Nations Introduction

Read the briefing, then use evidence from it to solve the questions. For the evaluation question, support your judgement with specific details.

Briefing: building peace after the First World War

The First World War ended with an armistice on 11 November 1918. At the Paris Peace Conference, US President Woodrow Wilson argued that lasting peace needed an international organisation. His Fourteen Points included a proposal for a general association of nations. The League of Nations Covenant became part of the Treaty of Versailles, signed in June 1919. The League began work in January 1920. The League Council’s first meeting took place in Paris on 16 January 1920. Its headquarters were in Geneva. The League aimed to prevent war through collective security: members were expected to defend one another’s independence and borders. Wilson described this as protecting the independence and borders of “great and small states alike.” It encouraged countries to settle disputes through negotiation or arbitration rather than fighting. If a state broke international agreements, the League could condemn it or recommend sanctions, such as stopping trade. However, it had no army of its own, and sanctions depended on member states co-operating. The United States never joined: although Wilson promoted the League, the US Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles. Germany joined in 1926, but left in 1933. These limits would test the League’s ability to act decisively.

Origins and aims

1.Which statement best describes the main reason the League of Nations was created?

To prevent another major war by encouraging international co-operation
To create a single government to rule all countries
To make Germany pay reparations to Britain and France
To replace national governments with a world parliament

2.Complete the chronology by putting these events in the correct order, earliest first. Treat the two January 1920 events as simultaneous: the League begins work; the armistice ends the fighting; the Treaty of Versailles is signed; the League Council’s first meeting takes place in Paris.

3.Match each term to its meaning. Write the correct letter beside each term.

A. Covenant
B. Collective security
C. Sanction

3. Members co-operating to protect peace and one another
1. A penalty, such as stopping trade, used to pressure a state
2. The League’s founding agreement

4.Give two methods the League hoped to use to settle disputes or discourage aggression.

Testing the idea

5.True or false? The United States joined the League as soon as it was established. Explain your answer using the briefing.

6.A member state attacks a neighbour. Explain one way collective security could help, and identify one practical difficulty the League might face.

7.Why was the United States’ absence potentially important to the League’s authority and ability to act? Give two connected points.

8.In the briefing, what does the phrase “collective security” mean? Explain it in your own words.

9.The briefing says Germany joined in 1926 and left in 1933. What does this suggest about the League’s membership over time?

10.Wilson’s proposal aimed to protect the independence and borders of “great and small states alike.” What principle was he expressing, and why could it matter to smaller countries?

11.Evaluate the League’s founding design. How far did its aims and methods give it a realistic chance of maintaining peace? Use at least two details from the briefing and reach a judgement.