Causes of World War Two FAILURE OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS BACKGROUND

 Founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference in 1919.  It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace.  Its primary goals included  preventing war through collective security and disarmament,  settling international disputes through negotiation and arbitration. MEMBERS  There were 42 founding members.  Twenty-three remained members until it was dissolved in 1946.  Largest number of member states was 58 (Sept. 1934 – Feb. 1935).  Notables absent from the start – US, Germany, USSR. ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

 Germany  Admitted in 1926 – left in 1933. Why?

 Japan  Admitted in 1920 (original member) – left in 1933.Why?  Italy  Admitted in 1920 (original member) – left in 1937.Why? OTHER NOTABLES

 United States  Never a member  US congress rejected President Wilson’s request to join due to a swing in US public opinion towards isolationism.  USSR  Admitted in 1934 – kicked out in 1939.Why? DISCUSSION

 What would you see has the biggest challenge facing the League of Nations in keeping the peace during the 1930’s? LEAGUE OPTIONS

 Moral Sanctions – a verbal warning.  “Stop what you are doing!’  Not very effective.  How would men such has Hitler and Mussolini respond to such an action?  Economic Sanctions - purpose of this sanction was to financially hit the aggressor nation so that she would have to do as the League required.  The League could order League members not to do any trade with an aggressor nation in an effort to bring that aggressor nation to heel.

 Military Sanctions - military force would be used to put into place the League’s decision.  Problem - the League did not have a military force at its disposal and no member of the League had to provide one under the terms of joining . WAS THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS DOOMED FROM THE START? - YOUTUBE

FAILURE OF THE LEAGUE

 Two examples of the ineffectiveness of the League in dealing with nations/individuals unwilling to keep the peace.

 Japanese Invasion of Manchuria • Italian Invasion of Ethiopia • Spanish Civil war JAPANESE INVASION OF MANCHURIA (1931)  Japan had a growing population and limited resources.  The effects of the Great Depression were causing hardships within Japan.  Manchuria was rich in natural resources such as minerals and timber.

 In 1931 Imperialist Japanese army seizes the Chinese province of Manchuria.  China appeals to the League of Nations for help.

LEAGUE RESPONSE

 Sent a group of officials to study the problem (this took a year).  In February 1933 it ordered Japan to leave Manchuria(moral sanction).

OUTCOME

 Japan refused to leave Manchuria – the League did nothing. Japan eventually left the League in 1933.  Many countries had important trading links with Japan – economic sanctions were out.  Britain and France did not want a war – military sanctions were out.  Japanese Invasion of Manchuria - YouTube  Unfortunately for Japan, the military, due to the success of this operation, gained greater control over the government.  In 1937 Japan invaded the rest of China triggering an all out war that ended with the defeat of Japan by the Allies in 1945.

RAPE OF NANKING

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xksZGHAvc eA&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1 &safe=active Italian Invasion of Ethiopia(Abyssinia)

 Italy invaded Abyssinia in October of 1935 and by may of 1936 had taken over the country.  Part on Mussolini’s plan to restore Italian pride and glory ( old Roman empire) by building a colonial empire in Africa.  Irony of this is that both countries were members on the League of Nations. LEAGUE RESPONSE

 The League of Nations had condemned the Italian invasion - moral sanctions.  Eventually voted to impose economic sanctions but did not include vital materials such as oil – something which Italy did not possess within it’s own borders.  Other than Great Britain (selfish motives ) no other League members showed any interest in getting involved.  Surprising considering the obvious injustice of the act and the decision by Italy later to use chemical weapons.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10NIZi8OG uA&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persis t_safety_mode=1&safe=active  "The League is very well when sparrows shout, but no good at all when eagles fall out."  Mussolini's comment on the League of Nations.