How succesful was the LoN in the 1930s?
Why did the LoN fail? --- reasons
The LoN failed during the 1930s (there weren't so many successes compared with the 1920s). Historians agree that in the 1930s the League of Nations was a failure. Showing that it was by far more unsuccessful during this moment.
Where there any sucesses?
Significant failures events
- Self-interest of leading countries: Neither British nor the French were prepared to abandon its own self-interest to support the League
- The USA and other important countries were absent: At one time important countries were not members (Germany entered in 1926 and left in 1933 like Japan. Italy left in 1937. Adding that the USA was never a member. Without this major powers the League lacked authority and sanctions were not effective
- Manchuria: Japan conquered Manchuria in 1932. The League objected but could do nothing. When the League supported China, Japan left the League.
- Hitler announced that Germany was leaving the League in 1932.
- Abyssinia crisis: Italy invaded Abyssinia in 1935. Although the League officially condemned the Italians, France and Britain were caught making a secret agreement to give 2/3 of Abyssinia to Italy.
Economic sanctions did not work: The members of the League didn't impose sanctions because they worried that without the USA they would not work. When they did impose them they were easily broken ---> lack to enforce decisions
Lack of troops: The League didn't have armed forces of its own and relied upon cooperation of its members. Britain anf France were not willing to commit troops
The treaties it had to uphold were seen as unfair: The League was bound to uphold the peace treaties which had created it.
Decisions were slow: The League met infrequently and took too long to make decisions. The need for all members to agree on a course of action undermined the strength of the League
The disarmament conference in 1933: Germany and other countries were secretly rearming under strictly orders of disarmament by the League. Showing the weakness of the League in controlling and maintaining peace
Successes
Slavery and forced labour was outlawed in Liberia.
America came forward to help Liberia in social reforms.
Economic revival continued to 1930s.
Diseases and epidemics were controlled in 1920s and that also continued.
These are some points that were said to be successes. Despite this, the failures outweighed the successes during the 1930s. As we can see, these kinds of triumphs were of a lower magnitude than major failures and events happening at the moment.
It was UNSUCCESSFUL: Overall, it can be said that the League of Nations was unsuccessful during the 1930s. The huge failure of the Disarmament Conference in 1933, the Manchuria Crisis in 1932 were major problems and humillations for the League. While the small successes were of less recognition and so showing the poor commitment of the LoN.