The League of Nations

History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 1.2.5

The League of Nations, 1920

At the conclusion of WWI, the Treaty of Versailles established the League of Nations. It was made based on Woodrow Wilson's view of a new world order. But, 25 years later, this view was in tatters.

Aims of the LoN

To keep the peace.
To promote international cooperation.

Organisation of the LoN

Made up of:
An assembly that met annually.
A council that met to consider crises whenever they arose.
A small secretariat that was responsible for the paperwork.
A Court of International Justice.
Several committees that performed humanitarian work.

Strengths of the LoN

The League of Nations was established by the Treaty of Versailles.
Which had been signed by Germany and allied powers.
By the 1930s, there were 58 member nations.
Had the power to respond to a country declaring war by applying trade sanctions.
Was able to provide arbitration through the Court of International Justice to enforce its aims.
Arbitration means that the international court of justice could act as an independent body to help two sides come to an agreement.

Weaknesses of the LoN

The League of Nations was established by the Treaty of Versailles, which was disliked by all the nations who had signed it.
The aims of the League were unrealistic.
The League had no military personnel that it could call upon (use).
Important absentees from the League were Russia, Germany and the USA.
All member states needed to agree before action could be taken.
The organisational structure was clumsy.

Test yourself on The League of Nations

Which of the following is true of the League of Nations?
What were the aims of the League of Nations?
Who dreamed up the idea that led to the creation of the League of Nations?
Which of the following was true of the organisational structure of the League of Nations?

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