The League of Nations – Organisation, Membership and Powers
Strengths & Weaknesses
• S Reed Brett (1967): no means of enforcing its decisions; if a power defied it, it could do nothing.
• PJ Larkin (1965): Linked to Versailles → criticism of treaty hurt League; also “severely handicapped” by absence of USA
1. Organisation
Confused = major weakness: different parts meant to act together, but in crises, they disagreed.
• of all nations (1 meeting pa/ decisions had to be unanimous)
• (5 permanent members – Br, Fr, It, Jap & Ger after 1926 – w. veto)
• (understaffed)
• Agencies (PCIJ, ILO, LNHO, Mandates, Refugees, Slavery, Economic & Financial; Drugs; Intellectual Cooperation, Communication & Transit, Traffic in Women & Children)
2. How the League Kept Peace
League relied on:
• Security → members agreed to defend each other.
• of Power → League acting together to enforce principles.
• Persuasion → Covenant (esp. Articles 10-17) committed members to peace; aimed to deter aggression via international disapproval. Weak vs powerful, defiant countries.
League’s 3 powers:
1. → tell a country it was wrong.
2. → mediate disputes.
3. → stop trade.
League could theoretically use force but had no army → no way to enforce decisions.
3. Membership
• 42 members initially, c.60 by 1930s → seemed strong.
• Britain & France = main members, supported by Italy & Japan.
• Weakness: Most powerful states not members:
◦ USA refused → League lacked US prestige, influence, wealth & military power.
◦ refused → Communists hated Britain & France.
◦ Germany banned.
→ Without these, League was weak.
• America Pulls Out ∵ Americans did not want foreign entanglements
= major weakness: US Senate refused to join → League forced to rely on & France, both by WWI.
Strengths & Weaknesses
• S Reed Brett (1967): no means of enforcing its decisions; if a power defied it, it could do nothing.
• PJ Larkin (1965): Linked to Versailles → criticism of treaty hurt League; also “severely handicapped” by absence of USA
1. Organisation
Confused = major weakness: different parts meant to act together, but in crises, they disagreed.
• ASSEMBLY of all nations (1 meeting pa/ decisions had to be unanimous)
• COUNCIL (5 permanent members – Br, Fr, It, Jap & Ger after 1926 – w. veto)
• SECRETARIAT (understaffed)
• Agencies (PCIJ, ILO, LNHO, Mandates, Refugees, Slavery, Economic & Financial; Drugs; Intellectual Cooperation, Communication & Transit, Traffic in Women & Children)
2. How the League Kept Peace
League relied on:
• COLLECTIVE Security → members agreed to defend each other.
• COMMUNITY of Power → League acting together to enforce principles.
• MORAL Persuasion → Covenant (esp. Articles 10-17) committed members to peace; aimed to deter aggression via international disapproval. Weak vs powerful, defiant countries.
League’s 3 powers:
1. CONDEMNATION → tell a country it was wrong.
2. ARBITRATION → mediate disputes.
3. SANCTIONS → stop trade.
League could theoretically use force but had no army → no way to enforce decisions.
3. Membership
• 42 members initially, c.60 by 1930s → seemed strong.
• Britain & France = main members, supported by Italy & Japan.
• Weakness: Most powerful states not members:
◦ USA refused → League lacked US prestige, influence, wealth & military power.
◦ RUSSIA refused → Communists hated Britain & France.
◦ Germany banned.
→ Without these, League was weak.
• America Pulls Out ∵ Americans did not want foreign entanglements
= major weakness: US Senate refused to join → League forced to rely on BRITAIN & France, both WEAKENED by WWI.
