LEAGUE OF NATIONS

EXAM PRACTICE 1
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
WHAT WERE THE MAIN AIMS
OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS?
(4 MARKS, 5 MINUTES)
 ENUMERATE 4 DIFFERENT IDEAS
The main aims were to prevent war by settling disputes
peacefully (1) through the League, to encourage disarmament
(1) and to improve working conditions (1) around the world.
Another important aim was to encourage cooperation
(1)between countries.
EXPLAIN WHY SOME MAJOR NATIONS
WERE NOT MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE
OF NATIONS WHEN IT WAS FIRST SET
UP?
(6 MARKS, 10 MINUTES)
DEVELOP AND EXPLAIN VERY WELL ONE MAJOR POINT (5
IDEAS). EXPLAIN A SECOND ONE (1-2 IDEAS).
America did not join the League of Nations because many
Americans were isolationists (1). They thought that countries in
Europe were always quarrelling and they did not want to get
dragged into these quarrels (2). They had already lost a lot of men
in the First World War and they did not want more Americans
dying (3). They thought America could do well if it kept itself to
itself (4). They also thought that getting involved in the League
would be expensive because America was the richest country in
the world and would end up paying for everything (5).
Germany was not allowed to join as a punishment for starting the
war (1). Many people were afraid Germany would cause more
trouble and thought Germany should be kept weak and not
treated as equal (2).
“THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON WHY THE
LEAGUE WAS WEAK IN THE 1920’S WAS ITS
LACK OF AN ARMY”. DO YOU AGREE WITH
THIS STATEMENT? EXPLAIN YOUR
ANSWER.
(10 MARKS, 15 MINUTES)
 SHORT INTRODUCTION.
There were several reasons why the LON was weak in the 1920’s.
The lack of an army was surely one of them, but others include the
fact that the USA was not a member, the way the LON was
organised, and the fact that the main countries in the LON were
not ready to stand up to powerful countries.
 NO, THREE REASONS EXPLAINED WELL.
1. USA was not a member.
This meant that the League lost a lot of its authority (explain in
depth).
2. The way the LON was organised.
The League was very slow to act because its decision had to be
unanimous and this took a long time to achieve and often ended in a
compromise being reached (explain in depth).
3. The main countries in the LON were not ready to stand up to
powerful countries.
Most member countries were more concerned about their own-self
interest than about international justice. An example of this was in
1923 when France invaded the Ruhr because Germany was getting
behind with reparation payments. This invasion was illegal but the
League did nothing about it because France was one of its leading
members (explain in depth).
 YES, TWO REASONS EXPLAINED WELL.
1. The League was able to summon armies of the member states, if needed
(explain in depth).
It is important to remember that the LON was able to put together an army to
back up its decisions if economic sanctions did not work. The League never come
close to putting together an army, and this was because of the lack of will of
countries like France and Britain to use force to sort out problems. They were
afraid of starting another war and still remembered how difficult and horrible
the World War 1 had been. This explains why the LON failed to stand up to a
powerful country like Italy in the crisis over Corfu (explain).
2. If the League had an army, it probably would not have used it (explain in
depth).
In other crises, like Aaland Islands, the LON did set up a Commission and solve
the dispute. It can be argued that this was only between Finland and Sweden,
two weak countries. So, even if the League had an army, it probably would not
have used it.
 EVALUATION (always end up with an evaluation/conclusion).
In conclusion, the League’s lack of an army was not as important
as its lack of will and the self-interest of its members. While these
existed, an army would not be much use.