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Why League of Nations Failed | The Outbreak of World War 2 | Flashback with Palki Sharma

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News and Commentary

Post–World War I: Origins of the League of Nations

After World War I (about 20 million deaths), the Allies sought to prevent another global war by creating a new international order. Leaders met in Paris to draft a peace framework, centered on Woodrow Wilson’s proposal for a global organization where countries could cooperate, discuss policies, and address grievances. This vision became the League of Nations, formalized through the Treaty of Versailles.

Early Setback: The United States Stays Out

A major early problem undermined the League: the United States never joined, because the U.S. Congress refused to approve the Treaty of Versailles.

The League proceeded anyway, holding its first session in November 1920 in Geneva. However, participation was limited and politically contradictory: although some places (e.g., India) had “membership,” many were still colonies under European powers.

Achievements: The 1928 Geneva Protocol

Despite its challenges, the League achieved notable results—especially the 1928 Geneva Protocol, which banned chemical and biological weapons.

Collapse: Withdrawals and Failed Responses

As global leadership shifted toward authoritarian and aggressive regimes, the League’s effectiveness deteriorated. The decline is described through a sequence of withdrawals and ineffective responses:

  • Japan (1933) After Japan invaded Manchuria, countries condemned Japan at Geneva. When the League objected, Japan left (“strike one”).

  • Germany / Adolf Hitler (1933 onward) Hitler prioritized rearmament. When the League resisted, Germany withdrew (“strike two”).

  • Italy (1935–1937) Italy invaded Ethiopia. The League voted for economic and financial sanctions (51 nations supported), but sanctions failed to stop escalation. Italy quit in 1937 (“strike three”).

With members leaving and aggression continuing, the League effectively lost the ability to enforce peace.

Toward World War II and Replacement by the UN

As Nazi Germany expanded, the video emphasizes that the League became largely inactive during the lead-up to World War II—described as having “virtually zero meetings” and dying “day by day.” By 1945, after World War II ended, the victorious powers chose to replace the League with the United Nations.

Closing Analysis: Why the League Failed

The video argues the League failed for multiple interconnected reasons:

  1. The U.S. never joined, leaving the organization without full political backing and credibility.
  2. No enforceable consensus or real power: when major powers’ interests diverged, states could withdraw (Germany, Japan, Italy).
  3. Even approved actions (like sanctions) couldn’t compel compliance.

Comparison to the UN and Proposed Remedy

The narrator compares the League to the UN: while the UN has outlasted the League and helped prevent another world war at “low standards,” it still struggles with invasions and instability in weaker states. The suggested solution is reform, including:

  • more democracy
  • reducing the imbalance of power—especially among the five permanent members
  • treating collective security as shared power and responsibility, not restricted authority

Presenters/Contributors

  • Palki Sharma (host)
  • Woodrow Wilson (historical figure discussed)
  • Adolf Hitler (historical figure discussed)
  • Benito Mussolini (historical figure discussed)
  • Dr. Wellington Koo (Chinese delegate quoted)
  • Lord Cecil (champion of peace mentioned)
  • Music (no specific credited contributor listed)

Original video