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“The League of Nations was doomed from the start.” Do you agree?

Negative. Positive. Failure of USA to join from the start only great world power at time weak Europe needed its support could provide impartiality - GB + France not retreat into isolationism proved fatal for LN. “The League of Nations was doomed from the start.” Do you agree?. Membership

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“The League of Nations was doomed from the start.” Do you agree?

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  1. Negative Positive • Failure of USA to join from the start • only great world power at time • weak Europe needed its support • could provide impartiality - GB + France not • retreat into isolationism proved fatal for LN “The League of Nations was doomed from the start.” Do you agree? • Membership • countries joined/left as suited eg USSR Japan Italy Germany • Goodwill- incorporated into WW1 treaties • USA President Woodrow Wilson’s 14th Point • followed “war to end all wars” and determination to prevent such another • 24 nations joined immediately • Domination by allies – “League of Victors” • impression that LN existed merely to reinforce TV eg France treated LN as tool to enforce Treaty of Versailles • dominated by victors – GB FR Italy and Japan • major powers ignored LN at will eg Corfu • Aims laudable • keep peace • safeguard countries’ independence • reduce armaments • improve living + working conditions • Organisation of the LN • democratic membership meant small nations carried same weight as major ones • unanimous decisions stifled action and change • infrequent meetings meant delays • economic sanctions only work if applied consistently and whole-heartedly eg Abyssinia • no provision for an army meant ultimate threat non-existent form the beginning • Early successes • small scale and localised – no problems • no interests of great powers involved • Diplomatic successes • attempts to strengthen LN eg Germany joined 1926 + “spirit of Locarno” and personal friendship between Stresemann and Briand • reinforced by KB Pact/Geneva Protocol etc • Hindered by other organisations/treaties • Who was in charge? Conference of Ambassadors/Treaty of • Mutual Assistance/ KB Pact/ Locarno/Geneva Protocol/Hoare-Laval Pact • Failure to bring about disarmament • attempts throughout 1920’s came to • nothing • only seemed to apply to defeated nations • Success of special commissions • Mandates • Refugees - Nansen • ILO • Drugs + Health • US involvement • Dawes/Young/KB Pact • Effects of the Depression • upset balance of power • self-interest of nations preoccupied with domestic problems • rise of dictators – LN ignored • QUOTE • “LN shortcomings were due • to the failure on the part of its members to apply the system loyally.” (Eden 1936) • Vested interests ran LN/ ignored/left LN • Italy (Corfu) + Japan (Manchuria)+ Germany • (Rhineland, Anschluss, Sudetenland etc) QUOTE “One day LN was a powerful bodyimposing sanctions, the next it was an empty sham.” (AJP Taylor, 1933)

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