The League of Nations was an international organization established after World War 1 by Woodrow Wilson to preserve peace and settle disputes between member states from 1920 to 1945. It proved ultimately ineffective due to lacking an armed force to impose sanctions, slow decision making, being seen as a club for the victors of World War 1, and members undermining it by following their own agendas. However, in the 1920s the League was able to help return refugees, reduce diseases, stop slave labor and settle disputes between smaller member states.

1. LEAGUE OF NATIONS
IGCSE HISTORY
REVISION

2. DEFINITION
League of Nations was an international organisation established to
preserve peace and settle disputes, between 1920 and 1945.

3. Question 1
Which leader proposed
the establishment of a
League of Nations?

4. Answer 1
US president Woodrow Wilson called for it as one of his Fourteen
Points.

5. Question 2
Name three important countries whose
non-membership between 1919 and 1935
significantly weakened its effectiveness.

6. Answer 2
The USA, Germany and the USSR.

7. Question 3
List four reasons why the League
proved ultimately ineffective.

8. Answer 3
No armed force to impose sanctions.
Slow to make decisions.
Seen as a “victors” club.
Undermined by member states following their own agendas.

9. Question 4
Was the League able to achieve
anything?

10. Answer 4
Yes. In the 1920’s it helped return refugees, reduced diseases, stopped
slave labour and settled disputes between smaller member states.

11. Important
Questions on the League of Nations often focus on the issue of
whether or not it was doomed to fail from the start.