Why League of Nations Failed | The Outbreak of World War 2 | Flashback with Palki Sharma

Summary

The video script delves into the history of the League of Nations, an international organization established post-World War I to prevent future conflicts. Spearheaded by President Woodrow Wilson, the idea was to create a global platform for discussion and dispute resolution. Despite initial success, such as the Geneva Protocol banning chemical and biological weapons, the League struggled with the absence of the United States and faced defiance from authoritarian leaders like Hitler and Mussolini. Ultimately, its inability to enforce decisions led to its downfall and the rise of World War II. The script concludes with the establishment of the United Nations as a more powerful successor, suggesting that while the UN has lasted longer, it too faces similar challenges and could benefit from reforms.

Takeaways

• 🕊️ The League of Nations was an international organization proposed by Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, with the aim of preventing future wars and providing a platform for global discussion.
• 🏛️ Established after World War I, the League of Nations was created through the Treaty of Versailles, but the U.S. Congress did not ratify the treaty, leading to the U.S. not joining the organization.
• 🌍 The League had 41 member countries at its first session in Geneva in 1920, with a structure similar to the later United Nations, including an Assembly, a Council, an International Tribunal, and a Permanent Secretariat.
• 🚫 One of the League's achievements was the Geneva Protocol in 1928, which banned the use of chemical and biological weapons.
• 📉 The League faced challenges as authoritarian leaders like Adolf Hitler rose to power, leading to member countries like Japan and Germany withdrawing due to objections from the League.
• 🛑 Italy's invasion of Ethiopia was met with sanctions from the League, but this was not enough to prevent the country from leaving the organization in 1937.
• 💥 The League's inability to prevent the aggression of World War II member states, such as Germany's invasion of Denmark, highlighted its failure to maintain peace and security.
• 📚 After World War II, the victorious allies decided to dissolve the League of Nations and replace it with a new organization, the United Nations, in September 1945.
• 🔄 The League's failure can be attributed to multiple factors, including the absence of the U.S., internal disagreements, and the inability to enforce its decisions on member states.
• 🔄 The script suggests that the United Nations, while having outlived the League, still faces similar challenges and could benefit from reforms, such as more democratic practices and the sharing of power among member states.

Q & A

What was the context of the world in 1919 when the idea of the League of Nations was proposed?

In 1919, the world was in a dire state following the end of World War I. Around 20 million people had died, the economy was in shambles, and cities were barely standing. The situation was looking hopeless, and yet life had to go on.

Who was the key figure behind the proposal of the League of Nations?

Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States, was the key figure behind the proposal of the League of Nations. He suggested the creation of a single global organization where countries could come together to discuss policies and resolve disputes.

What was the Treaty of Versailles and how does it relate to the League of Nations?

The Treaty of Versailles was the peace treaty signed by the Allies at the end of World War I. It included the establishment of the League of Nations as a means to prevent future wars and promote international cooperation.

Why did the United States not join the League of Nations?

The United States did not join the League of Nations because the U.S. Congress refused to approve the Treaty of Versailles, which included the establishment of the League. This was a significant setback for the organization.

What were the main functions of the League of Nations?

The League of Nations functioned with four main organs: an assembly of member countries, a council of permanent members, an international tribunal, and a permanent Secretariat. Its primary goal was to promote international cooperation and maintain peace.

What was one of the significant achievements of the League of Nations in the 1920s?

One of the significant achievements of the League of Nations in the 1920s was the Geneva Protocol, which banned the use of chemical and biological weapons in 1928.

Which countries' actions led to the downfall of the League of Nations?

The downfall of the League of Nations began with Japan's invasion of Manchuria and its subsequent withdrawal from the League. This was followed by Germany under Hitler's leadership, which also withdrew after the League objected to its rearmament.

What was the final straw that led to Italy leaving the League of Nations?

The final straw for Italy was its invasion of Ethiopia. Despite the League's objections and the imposition of sanctions by 51 nations, Italy decided to leave the League in 1937.

What was the ultimate fate of the League of Nations?

The League of Nations ultimately failed in its mission to prevent war. After World War II, the victorious Allies decided to dissolve the League and establish a new organization, the United Nations, in its place.

What were some of the reasons for the failure of the League of Nations?

The League of Nations failed for several reasons, including the absence of the United States as a member, the inability to create a consensus among member nations, and the departure of key countries like Germany, Japan, and Italy when their interests were not aligned with the League's objectives.

What lessons can be drawn from the failure of the League of Nations for the United Nations?

The failure of the League of Nations highlights the need for a more inclusive and democratic approach to international relations. It suggests that power should not be concentrated in the hands of a few permanent members and that collective security requires shared responsibility and power.