Which of the following caused the most serious international tensions between 1929 and 1935 and consequently brought about the decline of the League of Nations?I) The Wall Street Crush 1929II) Japan's invasion of Manchuria 1931

5/05/03

Essay writing

~ Which of the following caused the most serious international tensions between 1929 and 1935 and consequently brought about the decline of the League of Nations?

The Wall Street Crush 1929
Japan’s invasion of Manchuria 1931
Italy’s invasion of Abyssinia 1935

Explain your answer fully referring to I, II and III.

~ Important international tensions were brought up during the end of 1920’s and the 1930’s. In the USA the great financial speculations and the crisis of over production brought the Wall Street Crash of 1929. This caused a depression which lead to economic problems throughout the world. The conflict caused later, in 1931, Japan’s invasion to Manchuria because Japan was hardly affected by the protectionism imposed by the USA and the European countries. Japan wasn’t punished hardly by the League and some years later, in 1935, Mussolini decided to invade Abyssinia in order to achieve glory and conquest, among other motives.

~ The Wall Street Crush took place in 1929 and brought about depression, causing economic conflicts throughout the countries in the world, which started having political problems at home. After the Great War the USA started suffering a crisis of over production as most countries in the world were left devastated and weren’t able to import US manufactured products. Also, there was a boom in the 1920’s of the stock exchange, bringing after some years a financial crisis, because of great speculations. This caused finally the collapsed of the US economy which started as a result long depression. Also, the protectionism imposed by the US and all the countries of Europe in which they put up their tariffs in order to protect their domestic industries, brought the need and desire of some countries to expand in order to solve their conflicts. Moreover, the Wall Street Crush affected some League’s members as the US started calling in for loans causing great trouble in the countries which weren’t able to return the money. These countries also suffered the raise of unemployment as most economies and industries were having great difficulties. Consequently, the League’s members were not willing to get involved in international disputes while its economy was suffering. Furthermore, it is said, that all the characteristics mentioned before caused by the Wall Street Crush are an indirect cause of tension which produces and contributes to the invasion of Manchuria and Abyssinia years later.

This is a preview of the whole essay

~ During the 1920’s Japan was a major power which had a great army and navy and imported raw materials and food, exporting manufactured goods. But things changed during the 1930’s when Japan was badly hit by the depression. It was affected by China and the US which putted up tariffs so Japan had no one to trade with as it depend on the trade with them. Army leaders in Japan believed that building up a Japanese empire would be a solution to their conflicts. As a result, Japan invaded the Chinese region of Manchuria claiming that Chinese soldiers had sabotaged the south Manchurian railway. It is claim, that the causes are found of fallacy. China appealed to the League which hadn’t the possibility of acting towards the aggressor as Japan was a leading member of it. The League of Nations took a long and frustrating delay and presented a report in it was said that Japan was wrong, so Manchuria should be returned to the Chinese. However, Japan decided to continue invading rather than to withdraw. It acted contradictory and this showed that the League was powerless. The excuses given by the League were the following: the only country it could imposed sanctions was the U.S. and it was not present in the League; Russia and the US were the only countries that could send and army against Japan but they were out of the League and the aggressor was far away. In conclusion to the League’s acts, it hadn’t enough power if a strong nation as Japan decided to pursue an aggressive policy and invade others. The League’s members also acted only in their benefit as they wanted to keep good relations with Japan. In the contrary, it is claim that Japan would have withdrew when it was asked to. In addition, it is argue that if France, Britain and the US had continued trading with Japan, instead of putting up their tariffs, then, Japan maybe wouldn’t have taken such a step.

~ The League was again put into practice when Mussolini invaded Abyssinia. Italian dictator wanted: to revive the Roman Empire, invade Abyssinia in search of the fertile lands and minerals resources and wanted revenge on an unsuccessful invasion of Abyssinia in 1896. In 1934 there was a dispute between Italian and Ethiopian soldiers at the Wal-wal oasis. Mussolini claimed it was part of Italian territory and consequently, Abyssinian emperor appealed to the League, which played for time. It is said that Mussolini was under pressure at home because of the economic problems of the 1930’s and he was also encouraged by the ineffectiveness of the League in the case of Manchuria. Moreover, he saw this invasion as a solution to his country main economic conflicts. The League didn’t act quickly as France and Britain signed the Stresa Pact with Mussolini because they considered him as a strong ally against Hitler planning secretly to give him some of Abyssinia. After some months, a report produced by the League said that neither side could be held responsible. In October 1935 Italy invaded Abyssinia, but the League delayed sanctions. It finally imposed bands on imports and exports, among others, to Italy but didn’t ban oil exports to Italy and the transport through the Suez Canal to reach Abyssinia. This showed the weakness of the League as in fact, they let Italy invade Abyssinia without any hard sanction. Furthermore, in the meantime, there were some secret dealings between France and Britain and Mussolini planning to give him 2/3 of Abyssinia but as the plan was leaked to the press, it brought tension in Europe as it was showed that the League couldn’t manage correctly of the situation. In addition, in May 1936 Mussolini invades the capital city and takes control of the whole country. Meanwhile, the League just watched and didn’t punish Mussolini acts. The League’s weakness is well shown in the case as it didn’t chastise the Italian dictator because some of the permanent countries (France and Britain) needed Italy for the future so they didn’t wanted to break relations with it. They only acted in their favour. The League’s fail brought hard tension at the moment, as people couldn’t place any longer there hopes on the organization.

~ As a conclusion, the Wall Street Crush, Japan’s invasion of Manchuria in 1931 and Italy’s invasion on Abyssinia in 1935 are all linked and they all caused serious international tensions. Probably, the Wall Street Crush is the main cause of the other two but however, Mussolini’s acts toward Abyssinia and the few and unsuccessful work of the League in the case ended with the fail and the damage of prestige of the organization.

Work by: Joaquín C. Benes