What structural problems existed with the League?Search: Antonia images

Instructions• The main features will be listed, your job

is to consider, comment, listen and express the WHY these might be problems.

• Take note on the structure and be able to diagram it.

• Take notes on all comments in discussion

Quick overview• The main structures are: judiciary,

executive, legislative...just like most government structures

• In synopsis we will consider things like: how often they meet, how they relate to each other, what powers they have, membership, procedures

• So be ready, this is exciting!!!

Judiciary...the International Court of

Justice• Dealt with international disputes between member

nations

• Had no enforcement structure

• Permanently available

• 15 judges elected by council and assembly (the other two branches)

• Passes judgement to council and assembly

• Has free expression/can condemn member states in the press

Executive: the council

• 4 permanent members (Britain france japan and Italy)

• Up to 10 non permanent members

• Meets 5 times a yr to discuss urgent issues

• Major decisions must be unanimous

• Permanent members have veto power

• Free expression

• More serious actions shall be proposed to the Assembly...these are economic/military

Legislature: the Assembly

• 42 member nations in 1919

• Meets once a yr to discuss budget and elect council members

• Equal representation amongst nations - 1vote each

• Major decisions shall be unanimous

So what are the benefits of this?What are the limitations?

Search Yazan images

A basic recap of what the league can

do…• Moral condemnation - free expression

• Economic sanctions - only the assembly can authorize and by unanimous vote. The council can recommend...but to the assembly

• Military action - same criteria as above, however there is also the limitation of not having a military

Complete the tableSarah, Sarah,

Yiannis and Yiannis and AshleeAshlee

Why is this a Why is this a strength?strength?

Why is this a Why is this a weakness?weakness?

Unanimous decisions

No army

Veto by some

Equal representatio

n

Membership

• At face value, numbers are impressive...the league had 42 founding members and over 60 by 1932

• By then this included Germany and the USSR

• Quality, however, over quantity...as they say

Membership doesnt have it's privileges...

Why did the following countries not join, what are some possible effects

of this?

• USA - Paul?

• USSR - Daria?

• Germany - Charlie?

• Why were Britain and France reluctant to accept responsibility/leadership? - Achilleas?

Synopsis • Germany and USSR not allowed to join...made the

league look like a club for winners and anti communist (hypocrisy of self determination)

• USA...isolation and retreat from Anglo American guarantee (more on this later)

• France was severly weakened and in no position to police the world

• Britain saw it's own empire as the most secure source of protection...not the league; and therefore continued to pursue it's individual growth

Disarmament• The league committed it's members to

the concept of disarmament...Wilson 14 pts and Versailles

• Why might this be reversed or frowned upon by the league even though it is in it's charter? How will the league enforce it?

• Yazan, any thoughts?

Discussion question for Aziz

and Eleni

• Overall, was the leagues structure a source of strength or weakness?

Discussion question for Daniela and

Mariam

• Which was a larger problem, membership or internal structure?

Discussion question for Irene and Alaz

• Did the league have a chance or was it doomed from the start...why?

The end