The League in action

Disputes in the 1920`s, successes and failures.

Aaland islands, 1921

• Sweden and Finland wanted to control the islands, which were midway between both. They appealed to the league. The league studied it carefully and said that the islands should go to Finland. Sweden accepted this. This was good because a war was avoided.

Map of the Aaland islands

Vilna, 1920

• Poland and Lithuania were two new states. Vilna was the capital of Lithuania but the population was largely Polish. In 1920 a Polish army took control of it. Lithuania appealed to the League for help. Poland was the aggressor and the League protested to them but they didn´t withdraw. This was a big failure because it was the

first ``test´´ and they failed, they showed no authority.

Map of Vilna

Upper Silesia, 1921

• Germany and Poland wanted the industrial region of Upper Silesia. In 1920 a plebiscite was organised to vote which country they wanted to join. Industrial areas voted for Germany, the rural areas voted for Poland. The region was divided along these lines and made arrangements for supplies. Both countries accepted the decision. This was a good success because it was the first and a war was avoided.

Map of Upper Silesia

Bulgaria, 1925

• In 1925 Greek troops invaded Bulgaria, Bulgaria asked for help to the League. The League ordered Greece to pull out and pay compensations. Greeks obeyed. This was an important success because the League acted solidly

Map of Bulgaria

Corfu, 1923

• An Italian general, Tellini, was sent to take care of the border between Greece and Albania. They were ambushed and killed. Mussolini blamed the Greeks ad demanded a compensation. Then he bombarded and occupied the Corfu islands. The Greeks appealed to the League for help. They condemned Mussolini`s actions and suggested Greece to pay compensation, this money would be given to Italy when Tellini`s killers were found. Greece payed compensations and Mussolini withdraw from Corfu. This was an important failure because the problem couldn`t be solved before the violence took place.

Map of Corfu