The League of Nations

What were the successes of the League in the 1920’s?

• In 1921 Sweden & Finland wanted control of the Aaland Islands resting between them. The League studied the case closely, but the islands should go to Finland, Sweden accepted this, war was avoided. +3
• Germany & Poland both wanted Upper Silesia an industrial region on their borders. The region had a lot of iron and steel. Plebiscite (vote) given to Silesians. Industrial areas voted for Germany, rural for Poland. French & British troops were sent to keep order at polling booth. League divided the region to avoid further disputes. Arrangements were made to exchange water and power supplies. +5

Why did the League fail?

• In the 1930s, the world economic depression encouraged nations to be more aggressive towards each other. Fascist dictatorships took power in Germany, Italy and Japan, which were intent on empire-building and these countries defied the League.
• Japan conquered Manchuria in 1932. When the League supported China, Japan left the League.
• Italy invaded Abyssinia in 1935. Although the League officially condemned the Italians, France and Britain were caught making a secret agreement to give Abyssinia to Italy.
• These crises destroyed the authority of the League, and it was powerless to stop Germany after 1935. By the time of the Sudeten crisis of 1938, Britain and France were ignoring the League, and were trying appeasement instead.

What were the consequences behind the Wall Street crash?

• Less trade was exchanged, as others weren’t prepared to buy goods
• Tariffs were put up by countries
• America had lent money now others began struggling to pay it back, America suffered!
• Japan suffered leading them to take over Manchuria to rise back its economy
• Unemployment, Britain then began to worry more about itself
• France, worried with what Germany would do
• Germany elected Nazis again to sort problems out economical, social
• Italy’s Mussolini began to take control…!