The aims and methods of the League of Nations between 1931 and 1935
The League of Nations was formaed after the countries that had been involved in the first world war decided they needed an alternative way of solving international problems to avoid another war. The league’s main aim was to keep the peace. The League’s main methods were disarmament to reduce suspicion and having as many members as possible for collective security. The League did not actually have an army and depended on the main powers Britain and France to take action. If problems occurred and conferences failed, sanctions were imposed on the country causing problems. Between 1931 and 1935 there were many events which seriously damaged the aims and methods of the league. The failure of the disarmament conference in 1934, the 1931 invasion of Manchuria, the Stresa font in 1935 and the Hoare-Laval plan all seriously damaged the aims of the league.
When Italy fought the German invasion of Austria, Britain and France saw Italy as a possible ally against Germany and formed the Stresa Front outwith the League of Nations. When Italy invaded Abysinia it was seen as being wrong by the league rules but the countries who should have taken action for the league; Britain and France only put sanctions on imports and exports excluding oil so as not to anger their new ally.
Manchuria and took over the country. The league sent representatives by sea to investigate as they did not think it was important enough to rush. The league decided that the invasion was illegal but Japan ignored the league and nothing was done to stop it. The Manchurian invasion highlighted the fact that the league of nations had no teeth. This was due the fact that the effectiveness of the League depended on Britain and France, and their attitudes to the league differed greatly.
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