4.5.1 The League of Nations

Should nations pursue national interest?

Big Ideas:

  • Are there positive and negative consequences to the pursuit of national interests?

  • What are the effects of nationalism and ultranationalism during conflict?


The League of Nations: Balance of National Interests and Foreign Policy

After World War I, one of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles included President Woodrow Wilson's idea for "a general association of nations... for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity". This "association of nations" became the League of Nations in 1919. The formation of the League of Nations was important, as it was the first international peacekeeping organization that addressed the relationship between global relations and conflict.

The League of Nations' main purpose was to maintain world peace.

Flag of the League of Nations
(1939 to 1941)
To support this mandate, the League's goals were to

  • create collective security for its members,
  • provide a peaceful way to resolve conflicts between nations, and
  • provide protection for countries that may be attacked by others.

As part of the League, member nations promised they would not go to war without doing one of the following two things.

  1. Accept a settlement decided by a League of Nations panel of judges
    OR
  2. Allow the League to discuss the problem for up to six months, after which the League would suggest a solution.

The League of Nations Faces Challenges

President Wilson's idea behind the League of Nations was (by membership in the League) to create a forum where member nations would attempt to balance their own legitimate national interests and other nations' pursuit of self-interests. Countries choosing only to pursue their own national interests without consideration of the legitimate national interests of other countries were considered to be acting with hostile interests reflective of ultranationalism.


Woodrow Wilson returns from the Paris Peace Conference-1919
President Wilson was the leading supporter of global collective security. However, he returned to the United States after signing the Treaty of Versailles in Paris to find a great deal of opposition to the United States' membership in the League of Nations.

In order to convince the American people that the League of Nations was essential for lasting peace, he travelled the country speaking about the benefits of belonging to such an organization. Sadly, Wilson suffered a major stroke and died in 1924 before the tour was over.

All his efforts were in vain when the United States' Senate refused to approve the Versailles Treaty. As such, the United States never became a member of the League of Nations. The absence of the United States seriously weakened the League.

Reflect

William Gropp's cartoon below (titled "Forming the League of Nations") shows US President Woodrow Wilson (man with glasses) pointing to an easel with the words "League of Nations" printed on it, while many of the other men in attendance seem distracted or occupied.



© Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ62-123456]


Take a close look at William Gropp's cartoon (above). What do you believe Gropp's message is about the League of Nations, its member nations' self-interests, and the League's potential for success? Take point form notes using the 4.5 Notebook Organizer linked below.

The League of Nations Fails

After its formation, the League had some successes in resolving international conflict, such as territorial disputes between Finland and Sweden over the Aaland Islands, border issues between Albania and Greece, and mediation between England and France over Morocco. The League also made improvements in world health, taking care of refugees, and trying to curb the opium trade.

However, the League's main purpose was to support and maintain world peace, and the League depended on its member nations to agree and act appropriately to maintain peace. As Italy, Germany, and Japan began to show ultranationalist actions in the 1930s, the League looked to Britain and France (as the League's largest and most powerful members) to enforce the peace.

Unfortunately, Britain and France were both worried about another war. These national self-interests led to a reluctance to implement sanctions and send Britain and France's military resources to confront Italy, Germany, and Japan. It was more important to Britain and France to focus on domestic issues than on international affairs.

Collective security (the ability of countries to cooperate to preserve the peace) through the League of Nations failed. Europe headed for another world war in 1939.

Go to your textbook, Understanding Nationalism, and read "Failure of the League of Nations" on page 142. This page will further your understanding of how ultranationalism shapes the pursuit of national interests into domestic and foreign policy.
Download the 4.5 Notebook Organizer (Word, PDF, Google Doc) and take notes about what you have read and viewed. When you are done, return here to continue.

First Assembly of the League of Nations

Geneva, 1920
© Library of Congress