The League of Nations and the Promotion of World Peace Essay Example

the League of Nations assumed responsibility for enhancing labor conditions by establishing standards for workers and employers. These standards encompassed improved wages, working conditions, and overall environment while simultaneously eradicating child labor. Furthermore, they instituted Health Organizations with the objective of combating global epidemics such as yellow fever, malaria, and leprosy. The present-day accomplishments of these endeavors can be observed through the World Health Organization (WHO) and its successes in combatting malnutrition and associated illnesses.

The League of Nations established the Committee of Traffic of Women and Children to combat trafficking and promote global equality. The League also provided assistance to refugees, particularly after World War I, when 1.5 million refugees fled their home countries. From 1919 to 1923, financial and medical aid was offered to Greek refugees escaping Turkey through the Commission for Refugees. Furthermore, conferences were organized by the League in 1921, 1926, 1930, and 1932-4 with the goal of encouraging disarmament and promoting peaceful coexistence among nations (Johnsen et al.).

According to tradition, the Aaland Islands belonged to Finland, but the majority of the island's population wanted to be ruled by Sweden. The League of Nations played a significant role in resolving this territorial dispute between Finland and Sweden, thereby preventing a potential conflict. Along with its humanitarian achievements, the League of Nations achieved notable success in the political sphere by averting numerous wars among nations.

The League of Nations intervened in a dispute between two nations in 1921 regarding the ownership of an island. Finland was determined to be the rightful owner, but its residents were required to adopt a Swedish lifestyle and forbidden from having weapons. Both countries accepted this decision by the

league, which is still valid today (Johnsen et al.1943, 92). The league also successfully resolved a conflict over mineral-rich Upper Silesia between Poland and Germany.

The Treaty of Versailles after World War I granted Poland land, showing favor towards them. However, a disputed referendum resulted in 60% voting for Germany and 40% for Poland, causing riots. The unrest arose from differing viewpoints on whether Silesia should belong to Germany or Poland. In response, the League of Nations was asked to intervene. After six weeks, they decided to divide Upper Silesia between the two countries. The Commission responsible agreed that Poland would receive 35% of the territory and have control over half its population.

In 1922, both countries were satisfied with the agreement they reached. However, during World War II, they expressed their discontent with the decision. Germany specifically had a disagreement with the League's decision (Richard 2016). The League of Nations also achieved a political success by mediating the territorial dispute over Mosul between Turkey and Iraq. Iraq claimed that Mosul belonged to its territory while Turkey argued it was historically significant. According to the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, the two nations were expected to reach a solution within nine months. Unfortunately, they failed to do so and turned to the League of Nations for assistance in 1924.

< p > With the assistance of the Mosul Commission, the League of Nations reached a consensus on the Treaty of Angora. This treaty ensured that Mosul would be incorporated into Iraq, while also preserving Kurdish culture and providing protection for Christians. Following Turkey's appeal of the League's decision to the Court of International Justice, both countries ultimately agreed

with the league's ruling (Scott, 1974). The dispute between Greece and Bulgaria over their shared border resulted in the unfortunate death of a Greek soldier who was stationed there. < /p >

In response to the Bulgarian's failure to meet the demands for an apology, punishment, and payment, the Greeks invaded Bulgaria. Seeking assistance, Bulgaria turned to the League of Nations, which demanded a complete ceasefire and threatened sanctions if Greece did not comply. Even though Greece withdrew their forces, the League held them responsible and imposed a fine of ?45,000. While both countries accepted this decision, Greece criticized the League for not punishing Italy for their actions in Corfu. This incident in 1923 involved a dispute between Greece and Albania (Housden 2011, 93).

The League of Nations formed a commission made up of Italy, France, and the UK. Albania received preferential treatment from the commission, which Greece criticized for causing civilian casualties during the Corfu attack. Despite these concerns, the league was hesitant to challenge Italy due to its position as a permanent member of the League's Council (Housden 2011, 42). However, I believe that the League of Nations successfully achieved its humanitarian objectives and promoted peaceful sovereignty among nations. The league demonstrated its commitment to peace by remaining neutral in territorial disputes involving Greece and Bulgaria, Turkey and Iraq, and Finland and Sweden. Although it couldn't prevent the devastating war in Turkey, it provided significant aid to women, children, and other refugees who had fled their respective countries.

Despite its failures in standing up against the "Big Three" (UK, Italy, and France), the League of Nations achieved success in preventing and treating epidemics such as malaria,

typhoid, cholera, and leprosy. It also brought together more people, improved living and working standards, abolished slavery and trafficking, and administered the Ottoman Empire. Therefore, it can be concluded that the League of Nations was a success.

References

1. Housden, M. (2011). The league of nations and the organization of peace. 1st ed. Harlow: Pearson Education.
2. Johnsen et al.,
3. Brunaer et al.,
4. Ranshofen-Wertheimer et al.

Reconstituting the League of Nations, 1st ed. New York: H.W. Wilson Co.

For comprehensive information on the League of Nations, visit About.com Education's page at http://geography.about.com/od/politicalgeography/a/The-League-Of-Nations.htm, accessed on December 28, 2016. To gain a deeper understanding, it is recommended to read Scott's book "The rise and fall of the League of Nations".

The book's initial edition was published in New York by Macmillan.