GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE History
- The League challenged, 1930 to 39
The League challenged, 1930 to 39
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
In the 1930s two great powers attacked weaker countries. The League's failure to stop them destroyed its authority.
Manchuria, 1931 to 33
Japan invaded Manchuria (China) in 1931.
The League sent the Lytton Commission, which took over a year to report and condemned Japan.
Japan simply left the League (1933). No sanctions were imposed.
The League sent the Lytton Commission, which took over a year to report and condemned Japan.
Japan simply left the League (1933). No sanctions were imposed.
Abyssinia, 1935 to 36
Italy, under Mussolini, invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1935.
The League imposed sanctions, but not on oil, and Britain kept the Suez Canal open.
Britain and France secretly agreed the Hoare-Laval Pact to give Italy much of Abyssinia. When it leaked, the League's credibility collapsed. Italy conquered Abyssinia in 1936.
The League imposed sanctions, but not on oil, and Britain kept the Suez Canal open.
Britain and France secretly agreed the Hoare-Laval Pact to give Italy much of Abyssinia. When it leaked, the League's credibility collapsed. Italy conquered Abyssinia in 1936.
Humanitarian work continued
The League's agencies kept working: committees on child welfare and commissions against slavery made progress, for example freeing many enslaved people in some regions.
Why did the League fail over Abyssinia?
- Sanctions did not include oil, so Italy's war machine kept going.
- Britain and France did not close the Suez Canal.
- The Hoare-Laval Pact showed they would reward aggression.
Answer: Weak sanctions and Anglo-French self-interest let Italy win.
Manchuria (1931 to 33): the Lytton Report condemned Japan, which left the League. Abyssinia (1935 to 36): sanctions excluded oil, Suez stayed open, and the Hoare-Laval Pact wrecked the League's reputation. Humanitarian work on child welfare and slavery continued.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.