Search for Peace PDF - Modern History 112

Modern History 112 § The League of Nations was established after WWI § Millions were searching for a lasting peace § Formed in 1920 and included 42 countries (with others joining later) § Headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland  § The purpose of the league was to provide the leaders of var...

Modern History 112 § The League of Nations was established after WWI § Millions were searching for a lasting peace § Formed in 1920 and included 42 countries (with others joining later) § Headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland  § The purpose of the league was to provide the leaders of various countries a venue to discuss problems and differences § Bigger countries encouraged to reduce number of weapons and size of armies § The goal = to avoid resorting to armed conflict and make the outbreak of further wars less likely Strengths: Weaknesses: Could only advise member Promised to settle conflicts countries without fighting No power to make them Could call on members to obey (no army) stop trade with member Important countries were country that broke a not members (U.S., Soviet promise (sanctions) Union, Germany) By the 1930’s, the League is having great difficulty maintaining peace… § In 1931, Japan attacked Manchuria, an area controlled by China § Japan’s empire had been slowly expanding, and they sought control of the Pacific. § Manchuria an ideal target (although China was big it was weak, and Japan wanted control of its coal fields and farmland) § The League ordered Japan to stop its attack. The Japanese ignored the League, took control of Manchuria, and withdrew from the League of Nations § This incident highlights the ineffectiveness of the League to maintain peace § The League tried to organize various conferences to maintain disarmament. § However, all were afraid to be the first to disarm. § The last disarmament was the Geneva Conference. Hitler’s representative walked out, claiming other countries were trying to keep Germany weak. § Going forward, nations started increasing rather than reducing their arms. § The second major failure of the League came in 1935, when Italy invaded the North African country of Abyssinia under the orders of their dictator, Mussolini. § The League attempted to stop Mussolini by telling its members not to trade with the Italians. These sanctions didn’t work because oil was not included. § Member countries continued to trade with the Italians and Mussolini proceeded with the attack. § The League had proved completely ineffectual. Mussolini left the League in 1937. § Mussolini and Hitler made an alliance in 1936 setting up the Rome-Berlin Axis. Italy and Germany would support each other disagreements and wars. § Japan would join the Axis in 1937. § The three countries shared the following in common: § Leaders glorified war § Taught their people to see themselves as part of superior races § Totalitarian governments (governments which attempt to eliminate opposing views, to look at people as merely servants of the nation) § General Franco led the Nationalists in Spain who tried to overthrow the elected government of the Spanish Republic. § Franco’s supporters: army, leaders of the Church, landowners § Republic’s supporters: socialists, trade unionists and communist party § The League asked the other countries not to become involved. No one listened. Mussolini and Hitler aided Franco and an International Brigade as well as Stalin helped the Republic. § By 1939, Franco and the Nationalists won. Another totalitarian leader in Europe was in power. The League of Nations had failed.