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Conflict and Tension 1918-1939Key Facts

League Aims — The Four Goals

Part of League of Nations Structure — GCSE History

This key facts covers League Aims — The Four Goals within League of Nations Structure for GCSE History. Revise League of Nations Structure in Conflict and Tension 1918-1939 for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 5 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 4 of 11 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 4 of 11

Practice

8 questions

Recall

5 flashcards

📊 League Aims — The Four Goals

1. Collective Security — All members would defend each other against aggression. Attack one, you attack all. This would deter aggressors.
2. Disarmament — Reduce weapons to remove the MEANS for war. Everyone would feel safer with fewer arms.
3. Improve Living Conditions — Tackle problems that caused conflict: poverty, disease, refugees. Happy people don't start wars.
4. Uphold Treaties — Enforce peace settlements like Versailles. Keep the peace established in 1919.

⚠️ Weaknesses From the Start

  • USA never joined! — Wilson's own country rejected the League. Senate voted against (isolationism). Huge blow to credibility.
  • Major powers missing: Germany excluded until 1926 (left 1933). USSR excluded until 1934. Italy and Japan left in 1930s.
  • No army: League had no military force. Relied on members to provide troops — they rarely did.
  • Slow decision-making: Assembly met once yearly. Unanimous votes needed. Took ages to respond to crises.
  • Dominated by Britain & France: Both had empires to protect. Not truly impartial. Self-interest often came first.
  • Sanctions were weak: Economic sanctions hurt League members too. Trade sanctions needed all members to comply.

    • Keep building this topic

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

    League Structure — Four Main BodiesWhy Was the League Weak From the Start? — Connected CausationSetting the SceneStructure of the League of Nations

    Practice Questions for League of Nations Structure

    Which major country never joined the League of Nations?

    • A. Britain
    • B. France
    • C. The USA
    • D. Italy
    1 markfoundation

    What was meant by 'collective security' in the League of Nations?

    • A. Each country would build up its own army for protection
    • B. All members would unite against any country that attacked another
    • C. Britain and France would protect all other countries
    • D. Countries would sign individual defence treaties with each other
    1 markfoundation

    Quick Recall Flashcards

    Where was the League based?
    Geneva, Switzerland (neutral country)
    League's biggest weakness?
    USA never joined + no army of its own

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    Why Was the League Weak From the Start? — Connected Causation