How successful was the League in the 1930's?

            Three key events made it obvious to the world that the League was ineffective when faced with countries that pursued national rather than international interests.

• The failure of the Disarmament Conference. In the peace settlement, disarmament was a feature of the treaties- but it was only the losers who were made to disarm.

• The Japanese invasion of Manchuria. The Great Depression meant that Japan's exports were finding fewer customers and so claiming less income. Japan was not self-sufficient in food, so needed this income for vital imports. On 18 September, a bomb exploded on the south Manchurian railway. Immediately after the explosion part of Kwantung Army moved quickly to take over the town of Mukden. China appealed to the League but the response was so weak.

• The Italian invasion of Abyssinia Italy's interest in Abyssinia was long-standing. In 1896, Italy had attempted an invasion , but failed. Once Mussolini took power in the 1920s, the dream of conquering Abyssinia was back. The Italian invasion was unprovoked aggression. The League Condemned it and Imposed economic sanctions. The sanctions failed to hurt Italy's economy. Because oil and coal, which were essential Tor running the war, were not on the list of prohibited trade. The Suez canal, the main supply route for the Italian army, was kept open by its owner. Britain, who feared possible attacks on British colonies Tike Malta and Gibraltar by the Italian navy.