Collapse of the League

In 1929, the Wall Street crash ensured that many countries went into depression. This meant that many countries were battling with internal problems and their interest in the League of Nations was reduced. The battle with the economic problems caused many problems not only for the League but also in those countries. There were a number of events whereby the League became increasingly ineffectual.

In 1931, the Japanese Empire invaded the Chinese province of Manchuria, and the League took too long to respond and eventually did nothing. This continued with an unsuccessful Disarmament Conference in 1932-34 when Germany pulled out of the League of Nations after a heated row over disarmament. Finally in 1935, the Italian’s invaded the African nation of Abyssinia. The League could not agree on a best course of action and other countries actively sought to undermine the League’s decisions. The League became seen as powerless and ineffective.