Focus: How would you solve the world conflicts of the 1930’s if you were a member of the League of Nations?

Activity:Each group will be assigned a country. Review the your countries situation.A series of “moves” will be read aloud. You will be given a moment to review what your country’s likely response might be. When given the cue you will1.Cheer because you are happy!2.Condemn the actions verbally – yell, scream3.Take military action – Throw paper balls at them4.Appease the action – do nothing

Japan Invades Manchuria and All of China – Moves 1 and 2

The actual response: All the nations in the League simply verbally condemned the action. The nations took no military action. Japan then simply withdrew from the League and began to commit some of the greatest atrocities of the entire war against the Chinese. Secretly, Italy and Germany applauded the move.

Italy Invades Ethiopia – Move 3

The actual response: The people of Ethiopia bravely fought to keep their freedom. However, they were no match for the modern weapons of Italy. The rest of the nations in the League, for fear of beginning another global conflict, simply verbally condemned the action verbally and tried to place sanctions or penalties on Italy’s trade. Secretly, the Germans supported the move and gave Italy military support. Italy successfully conquered Ethiopia in 1936.

Hitler Invades the Rhineland – Move 4

The actual response: The world did nothing as Germany took back the Rhineland, beginning the first of many actions to openly defy the Treaty of Versailles.

German and Italy Assist Spain by supporting fascism during the Spanish Civil War – Move 5

The actual response: The League, again not wishing to begin a massive war, did little to nothing as Mussolini and Hitler sent massive military aid to Franco and the Fascists.

Hitler’s Anchluss and the annexation of the Sudeteland- Moves 6, 7 and 8

The actual response: Demoralized by war following WWI and facing political problems, France wished to avoid war with the Axis (Italy, Germany, and Japan) at all costs. Britain just felt no desire to confront the fascists’ leaders. Also, many in Britain felt that the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh. Also, the problems of the Depression pushed many in both countries towards pacifism, or opposition to war. Lastly, many in both France and Britain feared Russian communism more than Fascism, still it still had a capitalist economy. Thus, France and Britain sat idly by and gave Hitler all his demands in Austria and the Sudetenland in 1938-1939. Russia, too, fearing war with Germany did nothing as they took these lands. The actual response: Many in France and Britain following the complete takeover of Czechoslovakia, though they still did nothing, now realized that Hitler was not going to stop. They finally declared they would take military action if Poland were attacked by Germany.

Nazi-Soviet Pact – Move 9

The actual response: The League stood by as Hitler and Stalin signed a pact. France and Britain now were extremely frightened that the two nations they each feared most were now Allies. The Soviets appeased the move as well since they thought this would protect their border and give them time to prepare if Germany did invade within the next few years. In secret, they decided to divide up Poland. The path to war was set.

Summary• What was the most important factor do you think in your country’s actions in

these situations?

• • Do you think the League of Nations was successful as an international

organization? Why yes? Why no? • What key nation, missing from this could have perhaps changed the way things

happened? Why? • Did World War II seem inevitable (was going to happen no matter what)? Why yes

or why no? • What lessons can the world today learn from the actions of the League of Nations

in the 1930’s?