Transcript The league of nations, an Introduction

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS, AN
INTRODUCTION
Accompanied Readings: League of Nations and UNO (6-18)
THE IDEA BEHIND THE LEAGUE
Versailles Treaty set up the League
 Created to give leaders from all the countries of
the world somewhere to talk over their
differences
 People hoped that this would make wars less
likely, especially if the strongest countries
agreed to cut back weapons and soldiers



Covenant of the LON was included in TOV
The League existed in Geneva, Switzerland from 1920-1946
LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS
42 countries joined the League when it started
in 1920 and others joined later (50)
 Headquarters were in Geneva Switzerland
where member countries would send their
representatives
 When nations entered the League they
promised to settle their quarrels without using
arms


The League was to rely on collective security to
maintain the peace.

Collective security can only exist if the collective
is more powerful than those on the outside.
With the USA, Germany, and USSR outside, it
was impossible for the LON to provide collective
security
THE PROMISE MEMBERS MADE

Will endeavor to maintain fair and humane conditions of labour
for men, women, and children in all countries.

Undertake to ensure just treatment of native inhabitants.

Supervise the trafficking of the drug trade.

Supervise the trade in arms and ammunition.

Will secure and maintain freedom of communications and
transit.

Will endeavor to prevent and control disease.

Attack child and female prostitution rings operating
internationally
Structure of the LON

General Assembly: Where member countries
would meet

Council: Dealt with specific problems

Secretariat: Daily business of the LON,
paperwork.

International Court of Justice: Where countries
go when they break the rules.
HOW THE LEAGUE COULD REACT

Sanctions

The league could do three things in the event of a
dispute.

verbal sanctions: a verbal warning with possible
consequences.

economic sanctions: financially hit the aggressor to
make them do what the League wanted.

physical sanctions: military force used to enforce the
Leagues decisions.
ECONOMIC SANCTIONS:

Boycott: stop buying and selling certain items.

Sanction: increase the boycott to most items.

Embargo: Stop all but food and medicine
COULD THEY TAKE MILITARY ACTION?

The LON was not allowed to take military
action.
 Geneva
Protocols (1924):
 Nations
could use force in self-defence or in
service to the League. This alarmed member
states, particularly Canada, because they didn’t
want to fight in a far off place
 Protocols
defeated

Not all great powers belonged

Germany and Russia weren’t allowed to join
(1920)

US didn’t join either. To ratify(accept) a treaty
requires 2/3 vote of the US Senate. Wilson
was a Democrat, and the Senate was
controlled by Republicans. Senate didn’t ratify
TOV.

The USA returned to its policy of “isolationism.”