Topic overview
What you need to know
The League of Nations aimed to preserve peace through collective security, arbitration and sanctions, but its authority depended on member cooperation.
Exam tip
For each crisis, judge the League against what it could realistically do and show how major-power self-interest shaped the outcome.
Core knowledge
Key facts for The League of Nations and International Peace
Collective security
The principle that states act together against an aggressor to protect every member.
Assembly
The League body containing all member states, where decisions generally required unanimity.
Council
The smaller League body that met more often to address disputes and crises.
Economic sanctions
Trade and financial restrictions intended to pressure an aggressor without military force.
Manchurian Crisis
The 1931–33 crisis in which Japan occupied Manchuria and left the League after criticism.
Abyssinian Crisis
The 1935–36 crisis in which Italy conquered Abyssinia despite incomplete League sanctions.
Finished learning?
Mark the notes complete, then test what you can recall.