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. .