USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

[SOURCES]
Which of the following NOT reasons for the weakness of the League of Nations?

(A) League unable to enforce decisions

(B) Major powers unwilling to disarm

(C) League’s membership was not complete

(D) ** League did not have a leader

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -Answer and Explanation: One of the main weaknesses of the League of Nations was that it had no army, so it could not enforce any of its edicts or sanctions. Another weakness was that the United States and Russia, two of the strongest countries, were not members.

Concept note-2: -However, the League also had three great weaknesses. The USA, Russia and Germany were not members; without these powers, the League was too weak to make a big country do as it wished (for instance, Italy over Corfu in 1923). Also, the League’s organisation was a muddle, so when there was a crisis, no-one could agree.

Concept note-3: -Appeasement in Europe allowed it to continue until finally, Germany’s behavior could no longer be tolerated. Therefore, the failure of the League of Nations was the primary cause of World War II because it led to a series of events that triggered German aggression, ultimately causing World War II.

Concept note-4: -Although US President Woodrow Wilson was an enthusiastic proponent of the League, the United States did not officially join the League of Nations due to opposition from isolationists in Congress.