The creation of the League of Nations

The creation of the League of NationsWhat does this cartoon suggest about the formation of the League of Nations?

Before 1914 the Great powers had been split into two alliances. Both sides were so powerful that neither would win a war, so there wouldnt be one!

After the failure of this idea and WWI people looked for a new way of keeping world peace.

President Wilson proposed an international organisation called the League of Nations which would solve disputes between countries in a peaceful way.

The idea was that all members would agree to protect each other against an agressor. This was known as Collective Security.

If two members of the league were in dispute then the League would decide who was in the wrong and would enforce that decision.

League members would therefore be secure as together they would be too powerful for any single country.

What are the problems with what was being proposed?The Covenant: The aimsThe aims and organisation of the League were set out in the Covenant, this was a solemn promise signed by all members. The Covenant also included in all of the peace treaties.

The aims:To keep world peace by dealing with disputes between nationsTo safeguard the independence of countries and their new frontiersTo encourage nations to reduce their armamentsTo improve living and working conditions for all people

TaskCopy all of the aims above.

Which aims do you think would be the easiest for the members to follow?

Which aims do you think would be the hardest for members to follow?

Do you think these aims were realistic? Why?The Covenant: OrganisationStick in your diagram

2. Which parts of the Leagues organisation would deal with:The Leagues main aim of keeping world peaceA request to join the League?Reports of slaveryTwo countries ownership claims to a group of islandsA complaint about the way France was running Syria (a French mandate)Shephard p. 494The powers of the LeagueThe hope was that disputes between members would be sorted out by discussion in the council. If this failed the Council would decide which country was in the wrong and use the following powers against it:1 . Moral condemnation condemn the actions of the country and tell it to stop2 . Economic sanctions tell other countries not to trade with the country3 . Military force use armed forces from member countries

TasksCopy the above information including the title

Cut out the statements you have been given and arrange them under the headings Strengths and WeaknessesForty four nations, including Britain, France, Italy and Japan joinedThe most powerful country, the USA, refused to join. Other important countries were only members for a short time.Many people around the world supported the aims of the leagueThe Council was dominated by powerful Europeans countries and appeared to others as too much of a European clubMembers wanted to co-operate and prevent any more warsThe League had no military force of its ownFor the League to act, unanimous votes were needed in the Council and Assembly (excluding those in the dispute)As a way of keeping the peace, the League was a step forward from the old alliance systemThe League was tied into the Peace Treaties which some countries such as Germany, were hostile toThe League had some powerful weapons, especially economic sanctionsChances of success.Thinking about the aims, organisation and the powers of the League, do you think the League will be successful?Possible problems..In pairs you have been given different possible problems that the League could face.

In your books you need to write the following:What countries are involved?What has happened?What action should the League take? (which country is in the wrong and which powers should the League use)Chance of your actions being successful (1, no chance 5, very successful)

When you have finished swap with another pair or ask me for another one. There are 5 problems in total!Shephard p.518