FREE ESSAY ON THE SUCCESSES AND FAILURES OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS IN THE 1920S

THE SUCCESSES AND FAILURES OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS IN THE 1920S

This isn't really an essay, its just a summary of the actions of the League of Nations
that might come in handy if you have no notes.
The Successes and Failures of the 
League of Nations in the 1920s
Extracts from the Covenant of the League:
To promote international co-operation and to achieved international peace and security:
-by the acceptance of obligations not to resort to war
-by the prescription of open, just and honourable relations between nations.
-by the firm establishment of international law as the rule of conduct between
governments.
-by the maintenance of justice and a scrupulous respect for all treaty obligations in the
dealings of organised people with one another.
Successes and Failures of the League
Vilna (1920)- Both Lithuania and Poland claimed Vilna, but it was given to Lithuania even
though it had a majority Polish population. In 1920, Poland occupied Vilna, and refused
to leave. This was definitely one league member showing aggression against another, the
League didn't want to get involved. The League wanted to leave Poland alone as it was a
strong barrier between Germany and communist Russia. In 1923, the League of Nations
confirmed Poland's occupation of Vilna
Verdict on the League: Weak and useless.
The Aaland Islands (1921)- These islands are situated about halfway between Norway and
Sweden. Both had made a claim for tem and were ready to fight, but they invited the
League to make a judgement on the dispute. The League decided that the islands should go
to Finland, and Sweden accepted this.
Verdict on the League: A satisfactory outcome, but only because the nations in the
dispute were willing to accept the League's authority.
Upper Silesia (1921)- This was a plebiscite area defined by the League. Germany and
Poland were both determined to get it as it was very important for industry. In the
plebiscite people voted in favour of Germany 700,000 to 480,000. The League partitioned
the area, the Germans got over half the land and population, where Poland got most of the
industry. Germany was not pleased with this, but both countries accepted.
Verdict on the League: A messy compromise, but whatever the League decided would have
displeased someone. In difficult circumstances, it did as well as it could.
Economic collapse in Austria and Hungary (1922-3)- After the war, Austria and Hungary's
economies were in crisis, and with the burden of reparations it seemed they would simply
collapse. The League arranged loans for the two countries and in effect, took over the
economic management of the two countries. With this help, both Austria and Hungary were
able to begin economic recovery.
Verdict on the League: The League's action was prompt and effective.
Corfu (1923)- In August 1923, five Italian surveyors mapping the Greek-Albanian frontier
were shot dead on the Greek side of the border. When Greece didn't pay compensation,
Mussolini invaded Corfu, an island off the Greek coast. This was completely against the
principles of the League, of which it the Italians were a big part. The Council wanted to
condemn Italy, but the great powers would not allow it, instead, pressure was put on
Greece to apologise and pay up. 
Verdict on the League: A disaster - confronted by a great power willing to use force, the
league backed down.
The Greek-Bulgarian dispute (1925)- After the Treaty of Neuilly, the border between
Greece and Bulgaria remained a source of tension. After a number of violent incidents,
Greece invaded Bulgaria in October 1925. The League condemned the Greek action and
pressurised them to withdraw, which they did.
Verdict on the League: Successful action brought a return to peace - exactly what the
League was for. But cynics suggested that the League was only willing to take firm action
when no great powers were involved.