USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The peaceful settlement, in June 1921, of the dispute between Sweden and Finland over possession of the Islands (lying mid-way between the two countries, at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia) was one of the rare success stories of the League of Nations.

Detailed explanation-2: -The League was successful in the Aaland Islands in 1921. These islands are nearly equally distant between Finland and Sweden. They had traditionally belonged to Finland but most of the islanders wanted to be governed by Sweden.

Detailed explanation-3: -The significance of the Åland Islands case consists also in its contribution to the formation of the general rule of international law about the peaceful settlement of international disputes. It served as a successful example of the peaceful settlement of an international dispute in the pre-UN Charter era.

Detailed explanation-4: -Åland had become demilitarised as a result of the peace negotiations in Paris in 1856 after the Crimean War. When the sovereignty issue was solved by the League of Nations in 1921, the demilitarisation of 1856 was confirmed. The convention also neutralised Åland.

Detailed explanation-5: -In 1920, Finland granted wide-reaching cultural and political autonomy to the Åland Islands. The League of Nations considered these measures as satisfying demands to protect the Swedish language and culture there.