The League's peacekeeping in the 1920s Cambridge IGCSE History revision
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In plain words
In its first ten years the League settled a string of quarrels over borders. Its record was mixed, and it followed a pattern that should have worried everyone: when small countries argued, the League was obeyed, and when a big one misbehaved, it was not.
7 things to know
- Vilna, 1920: Vilna was the capital of the new state of Lithuania, but most of its people were Polish. A Polish army seized the city. Lithuania appealed to the League, which protested. Poland ignored it, and Britain and France were not willing to act. Poland kept Vilna. This was a failure.
- The Aaland Islands, 1920 to 1921: Sweden and Finland both claimed these islands, which lie between them. The League studied the case and awarded them to Finland. Sweden accepted the decision. This was a success.
- Corfu, 1923: an Italian general, Tellini, was murdered while marking out the border between Greece and Albania. Mussolini blamed Greece, demanded compensation, and bombarded and occupied the Greek island of Corfu.
- Greece appealed to the League, which condemned Italy. Mussolini refused to accept its authority. Under pressure from Britain and France, the ruling was changed: Greece had to apologise and pay compensation, and Italy then left Corfu. This was a failure, because a powerful country had got its way by force.
- Bulgaria, 1925: after Greek soldiers were killed in a clash on the border, Greece invaded Bulgaria. Bulgaria appealed to the League, which ordered Greece to withdraw and pay compensation. Greece obeyed. This was a success.
- Greece complained that there was one rule for large countries such as Italy and another for small ones such as itself.
- The pattern: the League succeeded when the countries involved were small and willing to accept its ruling. It failed when a strong country, or a friend of Britain and France, refused.
Worked example
"The League of Nations was a success in the 1920s." How far do you agree? Plan a 10-mark answer.
- Success: the Aaland Islands in 1921 and Bulgaria in 1925 were settled peacefully, and the rulings were accepted.
- Failure: at Vilna in 1920 it did nothing, and at Corfu in 1923 it gave way to Mussolini.
- Add its humanitarian work as a real success.
- Judgement: it worked with small states and failed with strong ones, so its successes in the 1920s hid a serious weakness.
Tips and tricks
- Learn the four cases as two pairs. Successes: Aaland Islands and Bulgaria. Failures: Vilna and Corfu.
- Corfu and Bulgaria make a contrast. Italy invaded and was rewarded. Greece invaded and was punished. That contrast is the League's weakness in one sentence.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
The League's peacekeeping in the 1920s: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
Which dispute did the League settle between Sweden and Finland?
The islands went to Finland, and Sweden accepted it.
Who occupied Corfu in 1923?
Mussolini used force to get compensation.
What happened to Vilna?
It was an early failure.
What did the League order Greece to do in 1925?
Greece obeyed.
What do the Corfu and Bulgaria cases show when taken together?Stretch
Greece noticed the double standard.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 16 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
The League's peacekeeping in the 1920s
Cambridge IGCSE History 0470 · 16 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
What happened in the Corfu crisis of 1923?[4]
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An Italian general, Tellini, was killed on the Greek border. Mussolini blamed Greece and occupied Corfu. Greece appealed to the League, which condemned Italy. Mussolini refused to accept this, and in the end Greece was made to pay compensation to Italy.
Why did the League fail over Vilna?[6]
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Poland refused to withdraw its troops when the League protested. The League had no army to force it out. Britain and France were not prepared to act, partly because France saw Poland as a useful ally against Germany. So the League did nothing, and Poland kept the city.
Why was the League successful in the dispute between Greece and Bulgaria in 1925?[6]
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Bulgaria appealed to the League, which acted quickly and condemned the Greek invasion. Greece was a small country that could not defy Britain and France. The great powers were united, so Greece accepted the ruling, withdrew its troops and paid compensation.
Answers: The League's peacekeeping in the 1920s
- 1. An Italian general, Tellini, was killed on the Greek border. Mussolini blamed Greece and occupied Corfu. Greece appealed to the League, which condemned Italy. Mussolini refused to accept this, and in the end Greece was made to pay compensation to Italy.
- 2. Poland refused to withdraw its troops when the League protested. The League had no army to force it out. Britain and France were not prepared to act, partly because France saw Poland as a useful ally against Germany. So the League did nothing, and Poland kept the city.
- 3. Bulgaria appealed to the League, which acted quickly and condemned the Greek invasion. Greece was a small country that could not defy Britain and France. The great powers were united, so Greece accepted the ruling, withdrew its troops and paid compensation.