1. Why did the League fail in its aim to keep peace?

2. Organisation Unanimous decisions impractical Did not meet often enough
Took too long to make decisions

3. Membership Important nations absent: USA never joined
Germany joined 1926 but left 1933
Japan left in 1933
Italy in 1937

4. Sanctions
Economic sanctions not effective, particularly with absence of USA.
No army - individual countries reluctant to commit troops

5. Treaty of Versailles League bound to uphold the terms of the Treaty.
Treaty seen increasingly as unfair

6. The will to make it work Idealism after WW1 soon disappeared
Britain and France not best suited to lead the League. Acted against the League (Hoare-Laval Pact)
Depression allowed aggressive individuals to gain support at home e.g. Hitler, Mussolini
League seemed powerless to react.

7. In defence of the League
Once USA pulled out Britain and France were not strong enough themselves.
Depression altered political climate - it was nobody’s fault
No organisation could have stopped aggressive individuals such as Hitler and Mussolini.
Were put in a position of defending a peace settlement that many saw as unfair.

8. Against the League
Manchurian crisis - the League should have resisted Japan
Members did not keep to the rules. When challenged they just left the League e.g. Japan, Germany and Italy
No strong leadership
Too slow to make decisions
All main members guilty of secret alliances
Aggressive individuals weren’t dealt with