Setting up of LON

How they wished for it to operate:

• America: world parliament, representatives would meet regularly to discuss and decide on happenings that involved them - the one chosen. 

• France: Wanted a strong League capable of enforcing its decisions with its army. 

• Britain: A simple organisation that would meet during emergencies (basically Conference of Ambassadors)

Advantages and Disadvantages:

A: expensive, complicated to carry out, but most effective version (adapted version for UN)

B: Simpler idea, dealing with emergencies rather than preventing them

F: Effective but might provoke another war (Army)

How it operated:

• Nations would disarm

• Accept LON’s decision

• Protection when invaded

• 3 types of sanctions:

  • Verbal sanctions (and warning)

  • Econ sanctions: stop trading, push towards bankruptcy, utilise internal pressure of civilians

  • Physical sanctions: send troops (nobody had them - so damaged by war that no money)

• B and F don’t rly want to be involved in anymore EU disputes (they’re the most powerful)

• It can’t enforce its decisions - not enough power

• The 2 most powerful countries, the USA and USSR, were not part of the league. Neither was Germany. It thus had a lot less power to carry out military intervention or start economic sanctions.

• For more information see the nextbook’s diagram on its operating structure

American’s POV:

1. Didn't think it was fair (TOV)

2. Did not want to be linked with TOV and treaty

3. Avoid high economic cost of joining 

4. Many were anti-French or anti-British 

5. Many had German ancestors

6. Isolationism was more popular than LON, WW’s party lost election 1919 - did not join LON as the Americans did not like the League