Author: Nureen Fathima, IFHE University, ICFAI, Law School, Hyderabad.
INTRODUCTION
League of Nations was an International Organization which aimed to promote cooperation and peace between the nations. League of Nations was conceived during the World War -I and was formally established in the year 1920 to resolve International Disputes and maintain world peace. It was headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. They were around member countries to the League of Nations. It was the first International Organization which acted as a Bureaucracy for the entire world, the Bureaucrats had to take care of the Governance. With the Treaty of Versailles, they had League of Nations.
Wilson presided over the peace conference, which met in Paris on January 18, 1919. On January 25, 1919, the idea to establish the League of Nations was approved at the Paris Peace Conference. In order to create a set of “rules and regulations” for an international body whose goal was to maintain world peace via open diplomacy and international consensus, President Wilson was then appointed Chairman of the 19-member Commission. The outcome was the development of a global pact, or “Covenant,” amongst countries. The final version of the League of Nations Covenant was adopted on April 29, 1919, less than four months later, and it became Part I of the Treaty of Versailles.
“Woodrow Wilson” was the first who proposed League of Nations as part of his 14 points plan for peace in Europe. He was awarded with Nobel Prize in the year 1919 for his efforts to establish the league, but the United States never joined.
On 20th April 1946, the League of Nations ceased to exist and handed over all of its assets to the United Nations. It lasted for a period of 26 years and has been replaced by the United Nations, UN inherited several agencies and Organizations founded by the League.
League of Nations was to resolve International Disputes through Negotiation, Diplomacy and Collective Security.
Aim of League of Nations
The League of Nations was established with a high objective of promoting world peace and stability. One of the main objectives was to guarantee disarmament by encouraging countries to scale back their military prowess in order to lower the likelihood of armed conflict. Its primary goal was to avert conflict by implementing the collective security principle, which calls for member nations to band together in order to deter aggression and cooperatively handle threats to peace.
Apart from preserving peace, the League placed a high priority on settling international issues amicably and diplomatically, providing a forum for discussion to resolve disagreements without using force. By tackling urgent humanitarian and social concerns like raising health standards, aiding refugees, stopping human trafficking, and promoting social and economic cooperation, it aimed to improve global well-being in addition to resolving conflicts. These objectives demonstrated the League’s dedication to building a more secure and peaceful global community.
1. ARMS OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Assembly: All member states were represented and the meetings were held annually. Discussing and deciding on issues like admission of new members, Budget approval and policy making.
Council: It is a smaller body which initially consists of Permanent and Non-Permanent members.
Four Permanent Members are: Britain, Italy, France and Japan.
Non- Permanent Members are generally elected by the assembly.
The council basically deals with emergencies and disputes requiring immediate action.
The Secretariat: It is an administrative body which manages its day to day operations. Preparing reports and documentation for assembly and the council.
Permanent Court of International Justice: It is a judicial body which hears the cases and provides legal rulings and resolve International Disputes as well as advisory opinions.
2. DISPUTES MEDIATED BY THE LEAGUE SUCCESSFULLY
Aland Island Dispute which was between Finland and Sweden in 1921 and Greece – Bulgaria dispute in 1925.
The League has made efforts to combat Global Opium trade to manage refugees after the war, moreover to improve the labour conditions through International Labour Organization [ILO].
2.1 INABILITY TO PREVENT AGGRESSION
The League has struggled a lot to enforce its decisions.
FAILURES:
The early 20th century witnessed several significant acts of aggression by major powers, which challenged global stability and exposed the limitations of international efforts to maintain peace. In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, marking a blatant act of military expansionism in East Asia. This invasion, driven by Japan’s quest for resources and territorial control, highlighted its disregard for international treaties, including the League of Nations’ principles.
Similarly, in 1935, Italy under Benito Mussolini launched an unprovoked invasion of Ethiopia, seeking to expand its colonial empire in Africa. This act of aggression not only violated international norms but also underscored the ineffectiveness of collective security measures, as global powers failed to take decisive action against Italy.
Meanwhile, Germany’s aggressive expansion under Adolf Hitler during the 1930s became one of the most destabilizing factors leading to World War II. Hitler’s policies, which included the remilitarization of the Rhineland, the annexation of Austria (Anschluss), and the occupation of Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland, were driven by his vision of creating a greater German Reich. These actions flagrantly defied the Treaty of Versailles and demonstrated the rising threat of authoritarian regimes to global peace.
Lack of United States involvement has weakened the League authority and effectiveness. As the US is the world’s major power.
Ineffective sanctions: the economic sanctions were often ineffective and it had no military force to back up its resolution.
Moreover, countries like Soviet Union have joined in the year 1934 and was later expelled in 1939 after invading Finland. The key document was covenant of League of Nations.
3. TERRITORIAL CHANGES
Alsace Lorraine returned from Germany to France.
West Prussia, Posen and Upper Silesia were given to Poland creating the polish corridor and allowing the Poland access to sea.
Eupen Malmede was ceded to Belgium
Saar Basin was placed under League of Nations control for 15 years with its coal controlled by France. A Plebiscite was held in the year 1935 and the coal production from the Saar was given to France as Compensation.
The Rhineland was demilitarized and German military forces were forbidden from entering it.
German lost all overseas colonies, which were divided among the allied powers and League of Nations.
4. MILITARY RESTRICTIONS
The terms imposed on Germany following World War I were stringent and aimed at significantly curtailing its military and economic power to prevent future aggression. A key provision was the drastic reduction of the German army to a maximum of 100,000 troops, with the practice of conscription entirely abolished. This limitation sought to weaken Germany’s capacity for large-scale warfare.
Germany was also prohibited from manufacturing or possessing certain categories of military equipment, including tanks, military aircraft, submarines, heavy artillery, and poison gas. These restrictions aimed to dismantle Germany’s war-making capabilities. Additionally, the size of the German navy was capped, allowing only six battleships, while the construction or possession of submarines was strictly forbidden.
A particularly contentious aspect of the treaty was the War Guilt Clause under Article 231, which held Germany solely responsible for initiating the war. This clause served as the foundation for imposing reparations, requiring Germany to acknowledge its role in the devastation caused.
Germany was further obligated to pay substantial reparations to the Allied Powers for war damages. The reparations amount was later determined to be 132 billion gold marks, payable either in cash or through the provision of resources such as timber, coal, and other materials. These measures not only aimed to compensate the Allied nations for their losses but also sought to cripple Germany’s economy, limiting its ability to rearm or regain its former power.
5. OUTCOMES OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Disarmament: By reducing the national armaments to the lowest point consistent with national safety.
Collective Security: To prevent war by mutual guarantees of political Independence and territorial Integrity.
Arbitration of Disputes: A platform for resolving International Disputes.
Improvement of Global Welfare: To address social and economic issues such as labour conditions, Human trafficking and Diseases.
CONCLUSION
The League of Nations, founded following World War I, was a progressive endeavour in international diplomacy, with the goal of preserving world peace and encouraging nation-state collaboration. Despite its commendable goals of disarmament, collective security, and peaceful dispute resolution, the League encountered severe challenges. Notable achievements, such as resolving disputes like the Åland Islands issue and battling global challenges like opium trade and labour rights, demonstrated its potential. However, its failure to prevent major acts of aggression, such as Japan’s invasion of Manchuria, Italy’s war on Ethiopia, and Germany’s expansion under Hitler, underscored its weaknesses.The League’s problems arose from institutional deficiencies, a lack of enforcement measures, and the absence of significant global powers, most notably the United States. Its failure to enforce meaningful punishments and preserve collective security undermined its power. The restrictive measures imposed on Germany following World War I, while significant, generated animosity rather than long-term peace. Finally, the League’s disintegration in 1946 demonstrated its incapacity to respond to rising global tensions, paving the way for the United Nations. The League’s legacy lies in its ambitious vision and foundational principles, which informed the creation of the UN. It remains a testament to the complexities of achieving lasting global peace.
FAQS
1. What was the primary goal of the League of Nations?
The League of Nations aimed to promote international cooperation, maintain peace, and prevent future conflicts through collective security, disarmament, and diplomacy.
2. When and how was the League of Nations formed?
The League was formed in 1920 following the Paris Peace Conference, with its covenant being part of the Treaty of Versailles. It was conceived as part of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points.
3. Why didn’t the United States join the League of Nations?
Despite being its chief proponent, the U.S. did not join because the U.S. Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, fearing it would entangle the country in unnecessary foreign conflicts.
4. What were the main bodies of the League of Nations?
The League had four main bodies:
The Assembly: A general meeting of all member states.
The Council: A smaller body dealing with urgent matters.
The Secretariat: An administrative body managing daily operations.
The Permanent Court of International Justice: A judicial body to resolve disputes.
5. What were some notable successes of the League of Nations?
The League successfully mediated disputes like the Åland Islands (between Finland and Sweden) and the Greece-Bulgaria border conflict. It also addressed issues like the global opium trade, refugee crises, and labour rights.
6. What was the War Guilt Clause, and how did it affect the League?
The War Guilt Clause (Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles) held Germany responsible for World War I, leading to heavy reparations. This clause fuelled resentment and instability, indirectly undermining the League’s goals.
