The League After the Depression

The League After the Depression

1. Faliures

   • Manchuria 1931-33
     • After the depression, Japan, who relied on exports to the USA and China, was hit badly as both countries struggled to keep their own businesses going
       • Japan invaded Manchuria for recources
         • Set up puppet government
         • Ignores demands by civilian government to withdraw
           • Army controlled foreign policy
         • Also bombed Shanghai
         • The League's Response
           • Sent officials to investigate situation
             • Decides Japan acted unlawfully
               • Japan intends to invade more of China
                 • Report by officials approved 42-1
                   • Japan leaves league
                     • Invaded Jehal
                     • Problems
                       • Countries had important trading links with Japan
                       • Britain wanted to keep relationship
                         • No ban on arms sales
                       • Britain and France would not risk armies
                       • Only countries with enough recourses, USA and USSR were not members
                       • The League did nothing
                         • Hitler and Mussolini watched on as the league failed
   • Abyssinia
     • Mussolini wanted African Empire
       • Invaded Abyssinia
         • Economic sanctions against Italy (except oil)
           • Britain and France secretly give parts of Abyssinia to Italy to retain ally in exchange for withdrawal
             • Public outrage - plan abandoned
             • Italy completes conquest
               • Hitler notices weakness of league
                 • Remilitarises Rhineland
               • Italy allies with Germany
               • Leaves league in 1937
             • Harre-Lavel Plan

2. Why the league failed

   • Britain and France only acted in accordance with their own interests
   • USA absent
   • No real power
   • Long Term Results
     • Countries lost faith in league
     • Started to rearm
     • Formed secret alliances

3. How the depression affected the league

   • Depended on economic sanctions
     • Countries wanted to protect all trade
   • Countries were too busy sorting out own problems
   • Countries were more willing to fight to survive