Notes
Failure of League of nations
USA does not join
Germany joins 1926 - pulls out in 1933
Lack of enforcement (only economic sanctions)
Too closely linked with the Treaty of Versailles
Nationalism too strong (big guys don’t want little guys to tell them what to do)
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Japanese occupation of Manchuria
Japan owns South Manchurian railway
Military operation in 1931 claiming Manchuria (renamed Manchukuo)
1932 – League’s Lytton commission decides Japan to leave
Japan quits the league - invades northern China, 1933
League decides this conflict has no effect on Europe – ignores situation
Two men in Europe take notice
Italy had interest in colony since 1895
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Mussolini wanted to expand his empire (Imperialism)
Italy marches on Ethiopia
1934 an incident is set up where Italians are killed
Ethiopia appealed to the league
USA does not join
Germany joins 1926 - pulls out in 1933
Lack of enforcement (only economic sanctions)
Too closely linked with the Treaty of Versailles
Nationalism too strong (big guys don’t want little guys to tell them what to do)
----------
Japanese occupation of Manchuria
Japan owns South Manchurian railway
Military operation in 1931 claiming Manchuria (renamed Manchukuo)
1932 – League’s Lytton commission decides Japan to leave
Japan quits the league - invades northern China, 1933
League decides this conflict has no effect on Europe – ignores situation
Two men in Europe take notice
Italy had interest in colony since 1895
---------
Mussolini wanted to expand his empire (Imperialism)
Italy marches on Ethiopia
1934 an incident is set up where Italians are killed
Ethiopia appealed to the league
Summary
Because none of the major powers of the world had joined the League of Nations there was no threat from it. Countries such as Japan and Italy could do whatever they had pleased without worry.
Subjunctive question
If countries in the League of Nations actually banned together and threatened Japan and Italy with war, could they have second guessed themselves and not have done it?