This document discusses the League of Nations, its formation after World War 1, aims, structure, and powers. It was formed to promote collective security and lasting world peace. The League had a Council, Assembly, and Secretariat but lacked authority as it had no army to enforce rules. Membership was also limited as major powers like Germany, USSR, USA were not members initially. The League struggled due to a lack of authority, limited membership of powerful states, and members' post-war unwillingness to apply sanctions or disarmament.

1. 1.2 Impact of WW1 in
Europe
How successful/weak was the League of Nations

2. Objectives
By the end of the lesson you will learn….
1. Reasons for its formation
2. Aims of the League of Nations
What the league had, to accomplish its aims.
1. Structure of the League of Nations
2. Membership in the League
3. The League’s powers
Did it work?
1. Successes/Failures of the League of nations

3. AfterBefore
Collapse of
powers
4 European empires broken up
Germany
Austria-Hungarian
Ottoman Empire (Turkey)
Russia

4. Horrors of War

7. Reasons for the LON
Woodrow Wilson’s (US
president) idea
LASTING WORLD PEACE
League was an
intergovernmental
organisation
Due to the horrors of WW1,
many leaders hoped that the
formation of the LON will
provide COLLECTIVE
SECURITY

8. Aims of the LON
 Collective Security
 Disarmament
 End of Secret Treaties and better
cooperation
 Improve living and working conditions

9. Structure of the LON
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COUNCIL
ASSEMBLY
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1) The Council (consisted of 4
permanent members + 4 non-
permanent members elected
from the Assembly)
2) The General Assembly
(consisted of all the other
members)
3) The Secretariat (the ‘leader’
and responsible for the running
of the LON)

10. Structure of the LON
(Council)
The council was made of the 4
‘strongest’ members of the
LON. They were considered the
victors of WW1
This council met 4-5 times a year
to settle international disputes.
Everyone had to make the same
decision (unanimous)
COUNCIL

11. The Assembly
consisted of all the
other members of the
LON
It met once a year to
debate on
international issues.
Small countries had a
voice
Decisions need 2/3
support
Structure of the LON
(Assembly)
ASSEMBLY

12. Decision had to be
UNANIMOUS

13. The League’s Powers
The League’s Powers. (When a nation acted illegally
the league could..)
Condemn/
Moral
Persuasion
Tell a country
that it has
done wrong
in the open
Assembly.
Sanctions
Impose a
trade
embargo to
push the
country
towards
bankruptcy .
Arbitration/
referee
Offer to
mediate
between the
two
conflicting
countries.

14. The League’s Powers
When a country needs help… the LON could
Organize Aid
Send
supplies and
expertise to
ailing
countries.
Send
volunteer
forces.
Give Smaller
nations a
voice
The
Assembly is
used as a
forum for
small nations
to speak their
views.

15. But, the LON had
its weaknesses…
Just like everyone and every
organisation…

16. 1. Lack of authority
The league had no power to enforce their rules
The League had NO ARMY to enforce their
rules.
LON FIGHTING
STRONG
Since 1920

17. 2. (Limited) Membership
During the establishment of the LON, the league
had 42 members.
At its peak, it had 60 members.
The league was however not a firm unit as the
League suffered frequent membership
changes.

18. 2. (Limited) Membership
Germany, Russia (USSR),
China were NOT
ALLOWED membership
Germany and USSR only
got into the League later

19. 2. Limited Membership
The USA was NEVER a member
even though the LON was their
idea!

20. The League was like…

21. But…
How strong was the
League without the
most powerful
nations?

22. 2. Membership
Many European countries are still weak from the
war
They prefer to rebuild itself (recover) and not get
involved in other conflicts

23. 3. Post-war attitude

24. 3. Post-war attitude
Most countries were UNWILLING or DID NOT
HAVE the military power to apply sanctions
Britain and France chose APPEASEMENT to
resolve conflicts

25. 3. Post-war attitude
League members DISTRUSTED each other and
thus were UNWILLING TO DISARM

26. Reason
for
failures of
the LON
Lack of
Authority
Post-war
attitude
Membership