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Great Depression
In 1929 the NYSE(New York Stock Exchange) crashed and the prices collapsed. This caused a global economic panic which resulted in extreme unemployment, and deflation. This also led to the collapse of international trade and a rise in isolationism as countries couldn't focus on the well being of others. The Great Depression left the League in shambles because none of their members could afford a war with anyone, allowing other countries to do what they want without any consequences. -
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Manchurian Crisis
Japan invaded Manchuria, which is a part of China. China appealed to the League, which created the Lytton Commission, to investigate and decide which country was in the right. After the Lytton commission declared Japan in the wrong and the League demanded they leave Manchuria. However, Japan declined, and as a result, they left the League. The League couldn't afford to fight a war in China due to the Great depression. -
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World Disarmament Conference
This conference was held to discuss the world disarmament and to prevent another war. However nothing came out of it and no agreements were made because of countries didn't want to cut down their forces because they were afraid of the war. Hitler also wanted the terms of the treaty of Versailles to be changed as they believed in the League more than anyone else. Hitler wasn't being heard out and it resulted in Germany leaving the League. -
Abyssinia invaded by Italy
Italy invaded Abyssinia for economic, territorial, and expansionist reasons. Italy was part of the Stresa Front an alliance of Italy, Britain and France. Britain and France saw Italy as an ally and formed the Hoare-Laval pact. The secret pact was leaked to the public who criticized Britain and France for supporting Italy's goals. When Britain and France's government retracted the pact Italy left the League and the Stresa Front so they can completely annex Abyssinia. -
Remilitarization of the Rhineland
Hitler, in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles, sent the German military to the Rhineland to occupy it. Remilitarizing the Rhineland was one of Hitler's steps for expansion and world domination. After seeing that Britain and France would not do anything about it, it gave Hitler more confidence to pursue his other goals. This weakened Britain and Frances influence on the world for being the strongest nations in the world at the time. -
Anti-Comintern pact
The Anti-Comintern Pact between Germany and Japan against the Communists like the USSR. Italy later joined in 1937 making a 3 power alliance between them. This put fear into the League as 3 dictatorship countries were allied together and were not apart of the League. The alliance also caused the USSR to feel isolated up to 1939 because other countries didn't want the USSR in the League and the other 3 strong powers were ant-communist. -
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Spanish Civil War
A war between nationalists led by Franco and the republican government in Spain. Franco and the nationalists were supported by Germany and Italy even after they joined the non-intervention committee created by the League. With the support of Germany and Italy the nationalists with Franco as their leader won the war. This led to increased tensions between Germany, Italy and the League of Nations after intervening in the war even though they join the non-intervention committee. -
Munich Conference
A conference held in Munich which was attended by Germany, Britain, France, and Italy. They agreed to allow Hitler to get complete control of the Sudetenland in return Hitler can no longer expand his territory. Hitler proceeded to than completely annex Czechoslovakia and the League couldn't punish Hitler because Britain and France refused to go to war with Germany. Britain and France appeased to Hitlers demands giving Hitler a sense they wouldn't intervene if he annexed Czechoslovakia entirely. -
Nazi-Soviet Pact
A treaty between Germany and Russia agreeing not to attack each other. The treaty also contained secret terms: Germany would invade Poland and pieces of land would be divided and given to Russia if they dont intervene with the invasion. When the treaty was signed it shocked the world because Russia has a communist government and Germany is a Anti-communist country. This was a cause for the start of WWII as Germany had another powerful ally who can help him fight in Eastern Europe -
Germany invades Poland
In 1939 Germany invaded Poland in response to a fake invasion from Poland prior to the German invasion. In response to the invasion Britain and France declared war on Germany because Britain had a guarantee on Poland to defend them if another country invaded and France declared war because they are allied with Britain. This marked the start of WWII.