Can the League be defended?

It can be argued that the League has many issues from the beginning, despite this it did have some successes in the 1920's. The 1930's were a different issue as it faced serious problems from the aggressive dictators that it failed to deal with, as the main countries like France and Britain were too busy dealing with their own issues such as the depression, policy of appeasement and rearmament.

Click on the cartoons, copy them and annotate them. What is the message of the cartoon? How does the cartoonist get this message across? What is the purpose of the cartoon? Why has it been published at this time in history?

How far do you agree that the League was a total failure? Did it achieve any of its aims?

Was its only problem the fact that America did not join?

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What were the aims of the League?

SIDE

STOP WAR
IMPROVE PEOPLES LIVES
DISARMAMENT
ENFORCE THE PEACE TREATIES

What problems did the League have from the beginning?

Membership - Germany, Russia and USA not members. Germany joined 1926 but left in 1933 when Hitler came to power. Russia joined in 1934.
The Leagues Parliament (the Assembly) only met once a year
The Council set up as the Assembly was to slow was dominated by France and Britain
No standing army
Key members were concerned with self interest
Unanimous vote needed for action to take place

Why didn't America join the League?

Click on the cartoon for a closer look!

As this cartoon shows the USA represented by Uncle Sam and the 'keystone' did not join the League even though it was Woodrow Wilson's idea (see the board in the background). When Wilson returned to the USA many Americans were against the League. It was firstly part of the Treaty of Versailles, which was hated by the German immigrants in America. Secondly many Americans believed it would draw the US into another war, they wished to follow a policy of ISOLATIONISM. Thirdly the economic cost of being a member and finally they feared it would be dominated by Britain and France. As the cartoon shows the USA was the 'keystone' of the League, without their membership it would struggle, it needed the strength of the USA to work. Uncle Sam shows the attitude of the American people towards the League. The cartoonists gives a clear impression of what they think the chances for the League are without the USA, a weak and incomplete League shown by an unfinished bridge.

How successful was the League in the 1920's?

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Why did the League fail in Manchuria 1931-1933?

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Click on the cartoon take a closer look at 'The Door Mat' - who is it by? what is it staying about the League's and Japan's actions? Why is the man putting makeup on the League who is being stepped on?

Japanese invaded after dispute over Manchurian railway
Needed Manchurias resources and feared Chinese threat
League slow to act
Sent Lord Lytton to investigate
Report said Japan were in the wrong
Japan simply ignored the report and left the League
Economic sanctions pointless as USA not a member
Britain wanted to keep Japan on side
Members of the League feared war would escalate - thinking of themselves
USSR and USA strong enough to remove Japan but not members

Why did the league fail in Abyssinia?

Failed to stop Italy and war
Weak nations invaded by a strong nation
Did not take quick action e.g. shut Suez Canal
GB and Fr tried to make secret deal behind the Leagues back with Mussolini - Hoare Laval Deal
Sanctions introduced did not include basic war materials e.g. coal, iron, oil.
Hitler was watching and at the same time to the gamble to remilitarise the Rhineland