The league of nation

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The league of nation
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After World War One Woodrow Wilson was
responsible for the idea of COLLECTIVE SECURITY.
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COLLECTIVE SECURITY The nations of the world
acting together to control any aggression and
settle disputes. League of nations was the main
agency of collective security.
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What was the League of Nations?

• The league was the idea of Woodrow Wilson.
• He hoped a League of nations would mean
• Disputes between countries would be settled
  peacefully
• Bring about international disarmament
• Countries could work together to improve social
  and economic problems.

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The Council
The Assembly

• Contained the most powerful members of the
  league.
• Took final decisions on peace keeping.

• Each country sent a representative to the
  assembly.
• Discussions to avoid war.

The league of nations
The Secretariat Provided secretaries, translators
etc.
International Court of Justice Acted as a judge
in the case of international disputes.
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How Successful was League?

• From its inception it faced a number of problems
  
• The USA refused to join. Public opinion in
  America was against US involvement in European
  affairs.
• Russia, too, was out. In 1919 no state in the
  world recognised Lenins Communists as a lawful
  government. Russia not invited to sign up for
  League.
• Germany was also excluded.
• The league had no standing army of its own to
  settle international disputes.
• 5. Relied on British and French support, both
  lacked enthusiasm to make it work

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How Successful was League?

• Some success in 1920s.
• It successfully made Danzig a free city.
• 1921 settled dispute between Sweden and Finland
  over the Aaland Islands.
• 1922 saved Austria from economic collapse.

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How Successful was League?

• 1923 limited but did not prevent, Italian
  aggression against Greece over Corfu.
• 1925 it halted a Greek invasion of Bulgaria.

A British cartoon of 1925 shows Bulgaria and
Greece fighting. Like Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum
in Alice in Wonderland
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How Successful was League?

• BUT 1930s League failed.
• 1931 its authority was challenged by Japan who
  invaded Chinese Manchuria. The League voted in
  Chinas favour but Japan continued the invasion
  and left the League.
• European dictators, Hitler and Mussolini took
  note of Japans success in getting away with
  aggression.

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Manchuria

• This cartoon of 1933 shows the Japanese actions
  destroying international agreements such as the
  Kellogg Pact and the League of Nations
  Covenant.  
• What is the cartoonist suggesting about Japan?

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This cartoon of 1933, by the British cartoonist
David Low, is entitled 'The Doormat'. 

•   It shows a Japanese soldier trampling all over
  the League, whilst League officials bow down
  before him and the British Foreign Secretary John
  Simon powders the League's nose using a
  'Face-saving kit'.  
• What is the cartoonist suggesting about the
  League...   the Japanese Army... John Simon and
  the other western diplomats?

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Activity

• Go to

http//www.learn.co.za/content/grade11/History/gen
eral/peace/Unit4/ Read the notes and complete
quiz at the end
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Homework

• Read Page10 and 11
• Complete questions 1-3 page 11
• Listen to the podcast http//web.mac.com/gileshill
  /iWeb/history20at20hand/GCSE20Podcasts/81D3DAA9
  -AA4F-4433-99EB-93D98BCB52F7.html