The League and border disputes in the 1920s
| Area of conflict | Problem in the area | What did the League do? | Level of success |
|
Vilna 1920
|
The capital of the new Lithuania contained many Poles. It used to be part of Poland.
In 1920 Polish troops simply took control of the city. |
The League protested, but Poland did nothing.
LoN could have sent in troops but Britain and France were not prepared to. The LoN did nothing, and Poland kept Vilna |
0
|
|
Upper Silesia 1921
|
Upper Silesia was an industrial area on border between Poland and Germany.
Both countries wanted to control it. |
1920 Plebiscite to decide on which country to join. Brit. and Fre. troops oversaw elections.
LoN divided Upper Silesia according to the vote and built safeguards to prevent future problems. |
5 |
|
Aaland Islands 1921
|
Both Sweden and Finland wanted control of the Aaland Islands, and nearly went to war with each other. |
Sweden and Finland appealed to the LoN.
The LoN decided the islands should go to Finland. Sweden accepted, and war was avoided. |
5 |
|
Corfu 1923
|
Italian Tellini was killed, and Mussolini blamed the Greek government.
Italy bombarded Corfu. Greece appealed to the LoN for help. |
The Council condemned Italy, and ordered Greece to pay compensation to Italy, via the LoN.
Mussolini had the ruling changed, and Greece paid Italy directly. |
2/3 |
|
Bulgaria 1925 |
Greek troops invaded Bulgaria. Bulgaria appealed to the LoN for assistance. | LoN condemned Greece. Greece pulled out and paid compensation to Bulgaria.
Greece unhappy at double standards of the LoN.
|
3/4 |