The League of Nations was founded in January 1920 to promote world peace and welfare. Created by the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended the First World War (1914-18), the League provided a forum where nations promised to resolve international disputes peacefully. Any state that attacked another would be subjected to the collective action of all the other members, first in the form of economic sanctions, and if necessary, military action.
More about: League of NationsDefinition
Timeline
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28 Jul 1919The Treaty of Versailles is signed, imposing guilt for WWI, reparations, and armament limitations on Germany and redistributing some of its territories.
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Jan 1920Foundation of the League of Nations.
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1923The Corfu incident, when Italy invades Corfu, is the first major challenge to the powers of the League of Nations.
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1926Germany gains a seat on the permanent council of the League of Nations.
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Sep 1931The Manchurian incident when Japan invades the Chinese region of Manchuria (Manchukuo).
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Mar 1933Japan leaves the League of Nations over the reaction to the Manchurian incident.
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Oct 1933Germany leaves the League of Nations.
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Jul 1934The USSR joins the League of Nations.
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Oct 1935Italy invades Abyssinia (modern Ethiopia).
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Jul 1936The League of Nations cancels its ineffective economic sanctions agianst Italy for its invasion of Abyssinia.
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1937Italy leaves the League of Nations.
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1939The USSR is expelled from the League of Nations.
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Apr 1946The League of Nations is formally terminated, its assets and treaty obligations are passed on to the United Nations.
