WHY DID THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS FAIL?
Ben Walsh “History in Focus GCSE Modern World History”;
1. America and other important countries were missing
At any one time important countries were not members. Germany was not a member until 1926 and left in 1933. The USSR did not join until 1934 whils Japan left in 1933 and Italy left in 1937. Most important, the USA was never a member. Without such major powers the League lacked authority and senctions were not effective.
2. Lack of troops
If economic sanctions failed, military force was the next option. Yet the League had no armed forces of its own and relied upon the co-operation of its members. Britain and France, however, were not willing to commit troops. At no time did troops ever fight on behalf of the League.
3. Decisions were slow
When a crisis occurred, the League was supposed to act quickly and with determination. In many cases, however, the League met too infrequently and took too long to make decisions. The need for all members to agree on a course of action undermined the strength of the League.
4. The self-interest of leading members
The League depended on Britain and France to provide firm support in times of crisis. When conflicts occurred, however, neither the British nor French governments were prepared to abandon their own self-interest to support the League.
5. Economic sanctions did not work
Economic sanctions were supposed to be the League's main weapon, but members of the League did not willingly impose them because they worried that without America they would not work. When they did impose them they were easily broken. The League therefore lacked the muscle to enforce the decisions of its assembly and council.
6. The Treaties it had to uphold were seen as unfair
The League was bound to uphold the peace treaties which had created it. In time, however, it became appearent that some of the terms in those peace treaties were harsh and unjust and needed amending. This further undermined the League...

Edward Townley “The Complete A-Z Twentieth Century European History Handbook”;
  • The absence from its ranks, for all or part of its existence, of major nations
  • That it lacked any effective mechanism for enforcing its decisions on reluctant nations
  • that its use of economic sanctions and moral arguments wer, in any serious crisis, ineffective
  • That its two leading members, Britain and France, increasingly took account of their own national interests and conducted their foreign policy outside the League
John Traynor "Challenging History EUROPE 1890-1990;
  • The United States refused to join the League
  • Britain and France were not as powerful as they had once been
  • The League had no armed forces of its own
  • The League of Nations was predominantly European and the shift in power towards countries like Japan and the USA had not been recognized
  • The most enthusiastic members were the smaller European countries, which could do little themselves to guarantee peace, but relied on peace for their own survival
  • Certain countries - such as Germany - were hostile towards the whole peace settlement
  • Britain's government tried to make the obligations of the League less binding
 
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