GCSE Modern History/The Failure of the League
Why did the League of Nations fail?
[edit | edit source]There were a number of factors that led to the league failing, such as:
- They had no troops, so its decisions were often not respected by countries as they knew there would be no consequences.
- Decisions were slow, making it less effective.
- Economic sanctions did not work, especially because countries such as the USA, USSR and Germany were missing.
- The leading members often put their interests before those of the League, making it less effective.
- The treaties it had to uphold were seen as unfair in many countries.
- The Manchurian Crisis (1931-33) saw the League fail to deal with Japan invading Manchuria, undermining the League and showing how it was powerless to stop an attack similar to this one.
- The Abyssinian Crisis in 1935 saw the League fail to deal with Italy invading Abyssinia, which was the final blow for the League and consequently destroyed its credibility.