Conflict and Tension World Events League of Nations

Year

1929

Countries

World

People

HItler

In October 1929, the panic selling of shares on the Wall Street stock market led to a financial crisis. US banks ran out of money and businesses went bankrupt. As a result, millions of American workers lost their jobs. This period became known as the Great Depression.

USA

+info

Map List Conflict and Tension

Year

1920

Countries Involved

42

Lloyd George, Wilson, Clemenceau

The League of Nations headquaters is based in Geneva, Switzerland. It was picked as it was a neutral country in WW1.

Geneva

+info

Map Conflict and Tension

Year

1935-36

Italy Britain France

Mussolini Haile Selassie

The Abyssinian Crisis occurred from 1935 to 1936, when Italy invaded the independent country of Abyssinia in East Africa. The invasion of Abyssinia was clearly an aggressive act by a strong country against a weaker one. On 30th June 1935, Abyssinian emperor Haile Selassie addressed the League, warning it of the effects of its failures The League's reputation was already badly damaged after the Manchurian Crisis, but the Abyssinian Crisis of 1935-36 offered final proof of the failure of collective security.

Abyssinia

+info

Map List Conflict and Tension

Year

1931

Japan China

People

Lytton

Japan conquered Manchuria in 1932. The League objected, but could do little in response. When the League supported China's sovereignty, Japan left the League in March 1933.

Manchuria

+info

Map List Conflict and Tension

Impact of the Great Depression

❖Britain and France were too concerned about upsetting Mussolini and losing a potential ally against Germany. They didn't close down the Suez Canal, even though this could have stopped Mussolini. ❖The economic trade sanctions against Italy were too slow and were limited by the non-membership of wealthy trading states, such as the USA. Self-interest from the League's members also prevented a ban on some goods. ❖The Hoare-Laval Pact again demonstrated that Britain and France were looking after their own interests. ❖The League also banned members from selling arms to Abyssinia, so the country could not even defend itself against Italy.

❖Italy completed the invasion of Abyssinia with the capture of Addis Ababa in May 1936. ❖Sanctions on Italy were lifted in July 1936. ❖The Abyssinian Crisis proved that Britain and France prioritised other concerns above the principles of the League. ❖Adolf Hitler observed the lack of decisive action in response to aggression. This may have informed his future decisions. ❖Italy was offended by the imposition of sanctions, and left the League in 1937. ❖The League of Nations never recovered its reputation or influence.

League of Nations Response The League placed economic sanctions on Italy. However, it didn't sanction oil, coal, iron or steel; essential resources for war. The Suez Canal, which was owned by Britain and France, provided a short-cut from the Mediterranean to East Africa but wasn't closed.

Hoare-Laval Pact

Hoare-Laval Pact in secret, the British and French foreign ministers negotiated the Hoare-Laval Pact with Mussolini. This would give two thirds of Abyssinia to Italy, leaving the Abyssinians with only the mountainous regions. The details of the Hoare-Laval Pact were leaked and the public was horrified. The plan was dropped, but Italy continued to invade Abyssinia. The Leagues reputation was badly damaged.

Leagues response

Why did the League fail

Consequences

Abyssinia

Legaue of Nations

Japan takes over Manchuria

1932

Mukden inident

1931

Trade declines, Japan needs new natural resources

1930

Wall Street Crash leads to the Great Depression

1929

Japan invades the rest of China

1937

Japan leaves the League of Nations

1933

Lytton Report published

1932

Manchurian Crisis