Detailed Study Notes: History of the League of Nations

Aim: TO KEEP THE PEACE Origin: The idea of an international organisation not new ? suggested in Woodrow Wilson?s 14 point plan. War weary nations enthusiastically took up the idea. The 1st 26 articles of each of the peace treaties formed the covenant of the constitution of the League. 29 nations joined in 1919, by 1928 there were 54 members. Purpose: To prevent wars ? by means of collective action. Also to promote international co-operation in social and economic fields (eg, International …

…year in power. Wanted permission to rearm and did not receive it. Failure to stop Mussolini's attack on Abyssinia 1931. Weak sanctions not including oil failed to stop the attack and occupation. Practically ending the League?s influences in world affairs. Failure to stop occupation of the Rhineland 1936: Breaking the Versailles treaty, Nazi troops march in and take the de-militarised zone. League does nothing. Fails to stop Japan?s attack on China 1937: You get the picture.