Conflict and Tension 1918-1939Deep Dive

Why Disarmament Failed

Part of League FailuresGCSE History

This deep dive covers Why Disarmament Failed within League Failures for GCSE History. Revise League Failures in Conflict and Tension 1918-1939 for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 4 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 2 of 9 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 2 of 9

Practice

8 questions

Recall

4 flashcards

🧠 Why Disarmament Failed

Germany wanted equality — Versailles forced Germany to disarm. Germany argued others should disarm too, OR Germany should be allowed to rearm.
France refused — Still feared Germany. Wouldn't disarm unless guaranteed security (but who would provide it without USA?).
Britain distracted — Economic problems (Great Depression) made military spending unpopular.
Hitler walked out (1933) — Used deadlock as excuse to rearm. Said others wouldn't disarm, so Germany would.
Result: Arms race resumed. One of League's main aims completely failed.

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in League Failures. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for League Failures

What happened at Corfu in 1923?

  • A. Greece invaded the Italian island of Corfu
  • B. Mussolini bombarded and occupied the Greek island of Corfu after Italian officials were killed
  • C. The League of Nations sent troops to Corfu to restore order
  • D. Poland seized Corfu against the wishes of the League
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In the Vilna crisis of 1920, which country seized Vilna against the League's wishes?

  • A. Russia
  • B. Lithuania
  • C. France
  • D. Poland
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Quick Recall Flashcards

Corfu crisis?
1923 — Italy invaded Greek island. League overruled. Greece had to pay Italy!
Vilna crisis?
1920 — Poland seized Lithuanian capital. League powerless. France backed Poland.

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