“In the 1920s, the League of Nations was successful in Europe.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates give a considered and balanced review of the statement. While other relevant factors, for example the structure and membership of the League may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question. Candidates may point out that the League was dominated by Britain and France and some powers were not yet members (Germany, the Soviet Union). League successes may include the establishment of organizations such as the International Court of Justice, the International Labour Organization and organizations that helped refugees/displaced persons. The League resolved several international disputes (the Åland Islands, Polish/German disputes over Silesia and the Greek invasion of Bulgaria). Evidence against success may include the fact that the League did not intervene in some disputes, as these were resolved by the Conference of Ambassadors (Corfu and Vilna). Additionally, some major international agreements, which aimed to maintain peace, such as Locarno and the Kellogg–Briand Pact were not League initiatives. Arguably the League was more effective on social problems than political ones.

The question required candidates to give a considered and balanced review of the statement that the League of Nations was successful in Europe in the 1920s. Some good knowledge and arguments were seen on the League’s role in the 1920s covering the Ruhr, Vilna, Corfu, Aaland Islands, Mosul and Greece/Bulgaria. Also, there was coverage by some candidates of the League’s humanitarian role. However, some candidates did not seem to have the knowledge base to answer the question and only knew about the League in the 1930s and focussed on Abyssinia, Manchuria and Hitler’s aggressive foreign policy.